Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications

Irish government cabinet minister

The Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications (Irish: An tAire Comhshaoil, Aeráide agus Cumarsáide) is a senior minister in the Government of Ireland and leads the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications.

The current Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications is Eamon Ryan, TD.^[1][2] He is also Minister for Transport.

He is assisted by two Ministers of State:

• James Lawless, TD – Minister of State for Postal Policy.
• Ossian Smyth, TD – Minister of State for Communications and the Circular economy

Overview

The department has responsibilities in the areas of:

Energy

• To develop a competitive energy supply industry
• To ensure security and reliability of energy supply
• To develop energy conservation and end-use efficiency.

Communications

• Communications development – promotion of the provision and development of competitive high quality and world class services in the communications, electronic and mobile commerce sectors.
• Business and technology – focusing on new business and technology applications and the development of policies, initiatives and legislation as appropriate.
• Regulatory affairs – the development of effective policies for the regulation of the electronic communications sector and management of the radio frequency spectrum.
• Postal services – the development of an effective policy for the Irish postal sector based on open market principles.
• It is seen as a successor to the old Department of Posts and Telegraphs.

Natural Resources

• The Petroleum Affairs Division aims to:
  • maximise the benefits to the State from exploration for and production of indigenous oil and gas resources;
  • ensure that activities are conducted safely and with due regard to their impact on the environment and other land/sea users.
• The Exploration and Mining Division of the department is charged with:
  • applying the Minerals Development Act to minerals exploration and development;
  • encouraging the early identification and responsible development by private investors of the Nation's minerals deposits in accordance with best international practice;
  • enhancing the attractiveness of Ireland for international and national minerals investment by active promotional measures.
• The Geological Survey of Ireland is:
  • Ireland's National Earth Science Agency, and is responsible for providing geological advice and information.

List of office-holders

Notes

1. Before 1937: DM – Dáil Ministry; EC – Executive Council.
2. Also Minister for Defence.
3. Also Minister for Transport.

See also

• Minister for Posts and Telegraphs (responsible for Communications until 1984; Minister for Communications, from 1984 to 1991)
• Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage (responsible for the Environment until 2016)
• Irish Land Commission

References

1. "List of Ministers and Ministers of State", Government of Ireland, archived from the original on 7 August 2020, retrieved 31 July 2020
2. "Our Ministers". Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment. Archived from the original on 21 May 2020. Retrieved 30 June 2020.

External links

• Official website