DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNICATIONS,
MARINE AND NATURAL RESOURCES
ROLES AND FUNCTIONS
The Department's key roles and functions are:
COMMUNICATIONS
Telecommunications market fully liberalised; now moving to position Ireland at the forefront of Internet developments and driving the e-commerce agenda. There is a large-scale programme to roll-out broad band around the country.
Beginning regulatory and market reform, addressing needs of national Post Office network.
BROADCASTING
Creating an environment which encourages the establishment and maintenance of high quality Irish radio and television services.
ENERGY
Liberalising the electricity market, restructuring the ESB, addressing infrastructure and capacity needs.
Commitment to peat fired power, new investment, assured viability for Bord na Mona.
Opening up the gas market, developing new supply capacity, extending the network.
Advancing the creation of an all-Ireland energy market.
Improving and intensifying energy conservation and efficiency, increasing the proportion of energy generated from alternative resources, minimising greenhouse gas emissions in line with commitments under the Kyoto Protocol.
MARINE AND NATURAL RESOURCES
Supporting and facilitating the availability of efficient and competitive maritime transport and port services including emergency response services, and the development of a competitive Irish flagged shipping sector.
Supporting the sustainable management, development and contribution of Irelands marine territory, seafood sector, inland fisheries and marine tourism and leisure.
Promoting minerals and hydrocarbons exploration and development for the optimum benefit of the Irish economy, consistent with the highest standards of safety and environmental protection.
Supporting the sustainable and environmentally friendly development of the forestry sector including the development of Coillte.
Supporting and facilitating the development of the marine and natural resources sectors by promoting effective research, technology, development and innovation.
Delivery of legislation to underpin functions of Loughs Agency FCILC.
Supporting and facilitating the development of the marine and natural resources sectors by promoting effective research, technology, development and innovation.
AGENCIES
The Department is responsible for 29 State bodies, 10 Port Companies and 14 Harbour Authorities, as outlined below.
COMMUNICATIONS
An Post
Irelands national postal service provider
BROADCASTING
Radio Telefis Eireann
The national public service broadcaster and a statutorily independent body. RTE operates three national television services (RTE 1, Network 2 and TG4 and four national radio services RTE 1, 2FM, Radio na Gaeltachta and Lyric FM).
Broadcasting Commission of Ireland
Responsible for the licensing and regulation of the independent television and radio sector. The Commission is also responsible for licensing certain new digital television services and for the development of codes of programming and advertising standards on television and radio.
Broadcasting Complaints Commission Deals with complaints made relating to programme material and advertising on RTE and independent television and radio services.
ENERGY
Electricity Supply Board
ESB has generation, transmission and distribution assets and provides electricity services to 1.6 million customers throughout the country.
EirGrid plc
Licensed by the CER (Commission of Electricity Regulation) as the independent electricity transmission system operator.
Bord Gais Eireann
Has grown from primarily a transmission pipeline business into a vast and extensive supplier of an efficient, economic and environmentally friendly fuel to over 400,000 customers.
Commission for Energy Regulation
Established on 14 July 1999 as the Commission for Electricity Regulation under the Electricity Regulation Act, 1999 to underpin an open, transparent and accountable regulatory process for the electricity industry in Ireland. Commissions jurisdiction expanded under the Gas (Interim) (Regulation) Act 2002 to that of energy regulator, incorporating both gas and electricity. The Commission has been renamed as the Commission for Energy Regulation to reflect its increased role.
Bord na Mona plc
Supplier of products and services based principally on peat.
Irish National Petroleum Corporation
On 16 July 2001 the commercial assets and businesses of the INPC (i.e. the Companys two commercial subsidiaries the Irish Refining Company and Bantry Terminals Ltd were sold to Tosco Corporation, a major US oil refiner and marketer. The INPCs remaining non-commercial subsidiary the National Oil Reserves Agency (NORA) is the body responsible for maintaining Irelands strategic oil reserves.
Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland
Statutory body responsible for implementing Government policy on energy efficiency and renewable energy.
MARINE AND NATURAL RESOURCES
Central Fisheries Board
Promotion, support and co-ordination of inland fisheries and development and co-ordination and direction of the activities of the 7 Regional Fisheries Boards.
Regional Fisheries Boards (7)
Conservation, protection and development of inland fisheries.
Bord Iascaigh Mhara
Promotion and development of the sea fishing and aquaculture industries.
Marine Institute
Undertaking, co-ordinating and promoting marine research and development in Ireland.
Irish Maritime Development Office
Responsible for the Promotion, Assistance and Development of the Irish Shipping and Shipping Services sectors.
Foyle Carlingford and Irish Lights Commission *
Responsible for fisheries and marine tourism and leisure in the Foyle and Carlingford area.
Arramara Teo.
Harvesting, drying and milling of seaweed.
Coillte Teo.
Managing State owned forestry and related activities on a commercial basis under the Forestry Act, 1988.
Port Companies (10)
Management and development of main commercial ports, under Harbours Acts, 1996 to 2000.
Harbour Authorities (14)
Management and development of harbours under Harbours Acts, 1946 to 2000.
COFORD
Co-ordination and providing funding for forest research in Ireland.
Commissioners of Irish Lights
Provision and maintenance of aids to navigation around the island of Ireland.
Aquaculture Licence Appeals Board (ALAB)
An independent appellate body in respect of aquaculture licensing.
Mining Board
An independent board set up under the Minerals Development Act, 1940. Its function is to determine compensation in various cases. It is also charged with deciding what minerals are to be excepted from the States exclusive right to work minerals under that Act.
*Implementation Body under the British-Irish Agreement Act, 1999.