Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources (Ireland)
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The Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources (Irish: An Roinn Cumarsáide, Fuinnimh agus Achmhainní Nádúrtha) is the government department of the Irish government that is responsible for the telecommunications and broadcasting sectors and regulates, protects and develops the natural resources of the Republic of Ireland. The head of the Department is the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources who is assisted by one Minister of State.
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[edit] Departmental Team
The official headquarters and Ministerial offices of the Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources are in 29-31 Adelaide Road, Dublin 2. The departmental team consists of the following:
- Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Eamon Ryan, TD
- Minister of State for the Information Society and Natural Resources: Seán Power, TD
- Secretary-General of the Department: Aidan Dunning
[edit] History
The Department of Fisheries was created in 1921. Over the years its name has changed several times. The Department was previously known as the following:
- Department of Fisheries (1921–1930)
- Department of Lands and Fisheries (1930–1937)
- Department of Lands (1937–1977)
- Department of Fisheries (1977–1978)
- Department of Fisheries and Forestry (1978–1986)
- Department of Tourism, Fisheries and Forestry (1986–1987)
- Department of the Marine (1987–1997)
- Department of Marine and Natural Resources (1997–2002)
- Department of Communications, Marine and Natural Resources (2002–2007)
- Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources (2007–present)
[edit] Structure
The Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources is subdivided into five divisions:
- 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.
- Energy – The Department has three major aims regarding energy: 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.
- Marine – The Department has a wide range of roles and functions in the areas of public safety, environmental protection and the coastal zone.
- Natural Resources – This division is subdivided into three sectors: the Exploration and Mining Division, Petroleum Affairs Division, and the Geological Survey of Ireland.
[edit] Affiliated bodies
Among the State Agencies and other bodies affiliated to the Department in some way are:
- Commission for Energy Regulation
- Commission for Communications Regulation
- Broadcasting Commission of Ireland
- Bord Iascaigh Mhara
- Geological Survey of Ireland
- Sustainable Energy Ireland
Among the state-sponsored bodies of the Republic of Ireland that the Minister sponsors are:
