Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment
The Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment is a department of the Government of Ireland that is responsible for the telecommunications and broadcasting sectors and regulates, protects and develops the natural resources of Ireland. The head of the department is the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment who is assisted by one Minister of State.
Departmental team
The official headquarters and ministerial offices of the department are in 29–31 Adelaide Road, Dublin 2. The departmental team consists of the following:- Minister for Climate Action, Communication Networks and Transport: Eamon Ryan, TD
- *Minister of State for Transport, Aviation and Maritime Transport: Hildegarde Naughton, TD
- Secretary General of the Department: Mark Griffin
Structure
- Broadcasting – The Broadcasting Division aims to develop a policy and legislative framework to facilitate the provision of quality broadcasting services in Ireland, and to optimise the opportunities presented by the emerging technologies for the provision of new Irish-based broadcasting services.
- Climate Action – The Department has three major aims regarding climate change: To develop a competitive energy supply industry, to ensure security and reliability of energy supply, and to develop energy conservation and end-use efficiency.
- Communications – The core policy objective of the Communications Sector is to contribute to sustained macro-economic growth and competitiveness and ensure that the Republic of Ireland is best placed to avail of the emerging opportunities provided by the information and knowledge society, by promoting investment in state-of-the-art infrastructures, by providing a supportive legislative and regulatory environment and by developing a leading edge research and development reputation in the information, communications and digital technologies.
- Natural Resources – This division is subdivided into three sectors: the Exploration and Mining Division, Petroleum Affairs Division, and the Geological Survey of Ireland.
Affiliated bodies
- Commission for Energy Regulation
- Commission for Communications Regulation
- Broadcasting Authority of Ireland
- National Cyber Security Centre
- Digital Hub Development Agency
- National Digital Research Centre
- Ordnance Survey Ireland
- Geological Survey of Ireland
- Mining Board
- Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland
- National Oil Reserves Agency
- Central and Regional Fisheries Boards
- Loughs Agency of the Foyle, Carlingford and Irish Lights Commission
- Electricity Supply Board
- Bord Gáis
- Bord na Móna
- EirGrid
- Raidió Teilifís Éireann
- TG4
- An Post
- Irish National Petroleum Corporation
History
The Schedule assigned it with the duties of the following bodies:
- Department of Agriculture and Technical Instruction for Ireland—Fisheries Branch.
- Congested Districts Board for Ireland—Fisheries Branch, and Rural Industries Branch.
- The Conservators of Fisheries.
Alteration of name and transfer of functions
| Date | Change |
| 2 June 1924 | Establishment of the Department of Fisheries. |
| 1 September 1928 | Renamed as the Department of Lands and Fisheries Transfer of Lands from the Department of Agriculture. |
| 8 February 1977 | Transfer of Lands to the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries. |
| 8 February 1977 | Transfer of Fisheries from the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries. |
| 9 February 1977 | Renamed as the Department of Fisheries. |
| 19 February 1978 | Renamed as the Department of Fisheries and Forestry. |
| 18 February 1986 | Transfer of Tourism from the Department of Industry, Trade, Commerce and Tourism. |
| 18 February 1986 | Renamed as the Department of Tourism, Fisheries and Forestry. |
| 19 March 1987 | Renamed as the Department of the Marine. |
| 31 March 1987 | Transfer of Shipping from the Department of Communications. |
| 31 March 1987 | Transfer of Tourism to the Department of Tourism and Transport. |
| 31 March 1987 | Transfer of Forestry and Wildlife to the Department of Energy. |
| 11 July 1997 | Transfer of Forestry from the Department of Agriculture, Food and Forestry. |
| 12 July 1997 | Renamed as the Department of the Marine and Natural Resources. |
| 15 July 1997 | Transfer of Mining from the Department of Public Enterprise. |
| 1 October 1997 | Transfer of Offshore Exploration from the Department of Public Enterprise. |
| 18 June 2002 | Transfer of Broadcasting from the Department of Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands |
| 18 June 2002 | Transfer of Communications from the Department of Public Enterprise. |
| 19 June 2002 | Renamed as the Department of Communications, Marine and Natural Resources. |
| 19 October 2007 | Transfer of Marine to Department of Agriculture and Food. |
| 20 October 2007 | Renamed as the Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources. |
| 22 July 2016 | Transfer of Climate Action and Environment from the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government. |
| 23 July 2016 | Renamed as the Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment. |