The Department of Climate, Energy and the Environment () is a department of the government of Ireland that is responsible for environmental policy, energy policy, and protects and develops the natural resources of Ireland. The department is led by the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment.
Departmental team The headquarters and ministerial offices are at Tom Johnson House, Beggar's Bush, Dublin. The departmental team consists of the following:
Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment: Darragh O'Brien, TD Minister of State at the Department of Climate, Energy and the Environment with special responsibility for the circular economy: Alan Dillon, TD Minister of State at the Department of Climate, Energy and the Environment with special responsibility for the marine: Timmy Dooley, TD. Dooley is also a Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine. Secretary General of the Department: Oonagh Buckley
Structure The department has the following divisions: Grid and Strategy Climate Action and Environment Policy Security of Supply and Generation Corporate Affairs and Strategic Development Chief Audit Officer Circular Economy and Resource Efficiency (includes the Geological Survey of Ireland) Demand, Energy Affordability and Competitiveness EU, International and Marine Affairs
Aegis bodies The following bodies are under the aegis of the department:
Energy Bord na Móna Electricity Supply Board EirGrid Commission for Regulation of Utilities National Oil Reserves Agency Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland Irish National Petroleum Corporation
Climate Action and Environment Environmental Protection Agency
Natural Resources Inland Fisheries Ireland Loughs Agency, part of the Foyle, Carlingford and Irish Lights Commission Maritime Area Regulatory Authority Mining Board
History The Department of Fisheries was created in 1921 during the Ministry of Dáil Éireann. It was given a statutory basis by the Ministers and Secretaries Act 1924, soon after the establishment of the Irish Free State in 1922. This act provided it with:
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 The name and functions of the department have changed several times by statutory instruments. Date Change2 June 1924Establishment of the Department of Fisheries22 July 1927Transfer of Irish Land Commission from the Department of Agriculture1 September 1928Renamed as the Department of Lands and Fisheries1 December 1933Transfer of Forestry from the Department of Agriculture1 April 1934Renamed as the Department of LandsTransfer of Fisheries to the Department of Agriculture9 April 1957Transfer of Fisheries from the Department of Agriculture3 May 1965Transfer of Fisheries to the Department of Agriculture8 February 1977Transfer of Lands to the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries8 February 1977Transfer of Fisheries from the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries9 February 1977Renamed as the Department of Fisheries19 February 1978Renamed as the Department of Fisheries and Forestry18 February 1986Transfer of Tourism from the Department of Industry, Trade, Commerce and Tourism18 February 1986Renamed as the Department of Tourism, Fisheries and Forestry19 March 1987Renamed as the Department of the Marine31 March 1987Transfer of Shipping from the Department of Communications31 March 1987Transfer of Tourism to the Department of Tourism and Transport31 March 1987Transfer of Forestry and Wildlife to the Department of Energy11 July 1997Transfer of Forestry from the Department of Agriculture, Food and Forestry12 July 1997Renamed as the Department of the Marine and Natural Resources15 July 1997Transfer of Mining from the Department of Public Enterprise1 October 1997Transfer of Offshore Exploration from the Department of Public Enterprise18 June 2002Transfer of Broadcasting from the Department of Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands18 June 2002Transfer of Communications from the Department of Public Enterprise19 June 2002Renamed as the Department of Communications, Marine and Natural Resources1 January 2004Transfer of Forestry to Department of Agriculture and Food19 October 2007Transfer of Fisheries to Department of Agriculture and Food20 October 2007Renamed as the Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources1 January 2008Transfer of Ordnance Survey Ireland from the Department of Finance1 January 2016Transfer of Ordnance Survey Ireland to the Department of Justice and Equality22 July 2016Transfer of Climate Action and Environment from the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government23 July 2016Renamed as the Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment23 September 2020Transfer of Broadcasting to the Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht24 September 2020Renamed as the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications1 June 2025Transfer of Cyber security to the Department of Justice1 June 2025Transfer of Telecommunications to the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media2 June 2025Renamed as the Department of Climate, Energy and the Environment1 August 2025Transfer of Marine environment from the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage
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