Bodies under the aegis of the Department

BODY

MAIN ROLE

COMMUNICATIONS

An Post

Staff: 9,088

Ireland’s national postal service provider.

Commission for Communications Regulation

Staff: 125

ComReg is charged with the regulation of the communications market in Ireland. Its remit covers all kinds of transmission networks from the traditional telephone wire service through to operators providing TV services and from mobile phone networks to the postal service.

Digital Hub Development Agency

Staff: 15

Established under the Digital Hub Development Act 2003 to oversee the development of the Digital Hub.

BROADCASTING

Raidió Teilifís Éireann

Staff: 1,987

The national public service broadcaster and a statutorily independent body.

TG4

Staff: 82

The Irish language television channel and an independent statutory body.

Broadcasting Authority of Ireland (BAI)

Staff: 33

The Broadcasting Authority of Ireland (BAI) was established on October 1st 2009, as an independent regulator for radio and television broadcasters in Ireland. The BAI has a range of objectives and functions. In carrying out its functions, the BAI must make sure that its approach to regulation is proportionate and takes into account the range and type of broadcasting services in Ireland. The BAI has a responsibility to ensure that broadcast regulation is stable. The Authority also has a role to play in encouraging technological development in the broadcasting sector.

ENERGY

Electricity Supply Board

Staff: 6,389

ESB is a statutory corporation established under the Electricity (Supply) Act 1927.Its activities encompass the generation, transmission, distribution and supply of electricity. It also has extensive interests abroad. Following the enactment of the Electricity (Supply) (Amendment) Act 2001 a 5% employee shareholding scheme was put in place.

EirGrid plc

Staff: 360

EirGrid plc was established to act as the independent Transmission System Operator (TSO), in line with the requirements of the EU Electricity Directive and became operational as the TSO on 1 July 2006.

Bord Gáis Éireann

Staff: 1,107

BGÉ is the owner and operator of the gas transportation network in the State. Its primary activities are gas procurement and supply. The Board supplies over 600,000 residential customers and over 20,000 industrial and commercial customers. BGÉ is also a supplier of electricity.

Commission for Energy Regulation

Staff: 65

The Commission for Energy Regulation (CER) is responsible for the licensing and authorisation of energy undertakings, ensuring security of electricity and gas supplies, regulation of certain tariffs and the development of national and regional electricity and gas markets in line with its statutory functions and national and EU requirements.

Irish National Petroleum Corporation

Staff: 0

Following the sale of its business and commercial assets (Whitegate Refinery and Bantry storage terminal) in July 2001, the INPC has no operational capacity/ employees. Its current activities are limited to its rights and obligations under the Sale and Purchase Agreement attaching to the 2001 transaction.

Bord na Móna plc

Staff: 1,909

Bord na Móna plc is a supplier of products and services based mainly on peat. The company has engaged in an active diversification programme and is also providing products and services in the environmental, renewable energy, electricity generation and waste management business sectors.

National Oil Reserves Agency

Staff: 5

Ireland has obligations under (a) EU Directives and (b) International Energy Agency (IEA) rules to hold reserve oil stocks. NORA was established in 1995, as a subsidiary of the INPC, to fulfil this obligation. NORA arranges for the purchase, leasing, and storage of national strategic oil stocks at a level determined annually by the Minister.

Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland

Staff: 63

Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI), formerly the SEI, was established in 2002 to promote and assist the development of sustainable energy. It implements various energy efficiency programmes and research in renewable technologies (e.g. ocean energy).

NATURAL RESOURCES

Inland Fisheries Ireland

Staff: 355

Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) was formed on July 1, 2010 following the amalgamation of the Central Fisheries Board and the seven former Regional Fisheries Boards into a single agency. Inland Fisheries Ireland is responsible for the protection, management and conservation of the inland fisheries resource across the country.

Loughs Agency of the Foyle Carlingford and Irish Lights Commission *

Staff:55

Its responsibilities include (a) the promotion and development of Lough Foyle and Carlingford Lough for commercial and recreational purposes in respect of marine, fishery and aquaculture matters (b) the management, conservation, protection, improvement and development of inland fisheries; (c) the development and licensing of aquaculture; and (d) the development of marine tourism.

Mining Board

Staff: 0

An independent quasi-judicial board set up under the Minerals Development Act 1940. Its main function is to determine various types of compensation provided for under the Minerals Development Acts 1940 to 1999, mainly to private mineral owners. It was also charged with deciding what minerals are exempted from the State’s exclusive right to work minerals under the Minerals Development Act 1979.

Ordnance Survey Ireland

Staff: 291

Ordnance Survey Ireland’s general statutory function is to provide a national mapping service in the State. In this regard it must operate in the public interest by creating and maintaining the definitive national mapping and related geographic records of the State.