State bodies under the aegis of the Department of Climate, Energy and the Environment

The Department of Climate, Energy and the Environment is responsible for overseeing matters relating to the governance of commercial and non-commercial State-sponsored Bodies, including Regulators. This information is outlined below.

Corporate Governance of State-sponsored Bodies is governed by the provisions of the Code of Practice for the Governance of State Bodies which was revised and published by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform in August 2016 which can be accessed below. The new code is effective from 1 September 2016.

From time to time, vacancies become available on the Boards of these State Bodies.

Electricity Supply Board (ESB)

The Electricity Supply Board (ESB) was set up in accordance with the Electricity Supply Board Acts 1927 - 2004. It was established as a corporate body to control and develop Ireland's electricity network. It is involved in the generation and supply of electricity to both domestic and commercial users and is the largest electricity utility in the State, employing over 7,000 people. They are actively diversifying their portfolio to include renewable energy and communication networks.

EirGrid

EirGrid is the State-owned electric power transmission operator. It is a public limited company, registered under the Companies Acts. EirGrid aims to deliver quality services to all electricity customers. It manages power generation capacity to meet customer demand, which varies on a daily, weekly and seasonal basis. Available generation must match customer demand on an instantaneous basis, to maintain the electricity system. EirGrid was established to act as the independent Transmission System Operator (TSO), in line with the requirements of the EU Electricity Directive. EirGrid became operational as the TSO on 1 July 2006.

Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU)

Established in 1999, the Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU), formerly the Commission for Energy Regulation (CER) , is Ireland's independent energy regulator. It has a wide range of economic, customer protection and safety responsibilities in the energy sector. In addition, the CRU is Ireland's economic regulator of the Irish public water and wastewater sector. Policy for this area is the responsibility of the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage.

Bord na Móna

Bord na Móna was established in 1946, as a statutory body under the Turf Development Act 1946, to develop the peat resource in the Midlands and West of Ireland. Under its "Brown to Green" strategy, Bord na Móna has concluded all former peat operations, and continues its transition into a climate solutions company, with a focus on renewable energy and peatlands restoration, committed to helping Ireland achieve its renewable energy target by 2030 and carbon neutrality by 2050.

National Oil Reserves Agency (NORA)

The National Oil Reserves Agency Act 2007 provided for the establishment of the National Oil Reserves Agency (NORA) as a stand-alone non-commercial State body under the aegis of the Department of Climate, Energy and the Environment. NORA plays a key strategic role in maintaining security of energy supplies by ensuring that Ireland meets its EU and International Energy Agency (IEA) obligations to maintain 90 days' oil stocks for use in the event of an oil supply disruption.

NORA receives no direct Exchequer funding and its purchases of oil stocks are 100% funded by a government levy imposed on the disposal of oil products and borrowings from commercial banks.

Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI)

The Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) was established as Ireland's national energy authority under the Sustainable Energy Act 2002. SEAI's mission is to play a leading role in transforming Ireland into a society based on sustainable energy structures, technologies and practices.

To fulfil this mission SEAI aims to provide well-timed and informed advice to Government, and deliver a range of programmes efficiently and effectively, while engaging and motivating a wide range of stakeholders and showing continuing flexibility and innovation in all activities. SEAI's actions will help advance Ireland to the vanguard of the global green technology movement, so that Ireland is recognised as a pioneer in the move to decarbonised energy systems.

Irish National Petroleum Corporation (INPC)

Irish National Petroleum Corporation (INPC) is a State company which owned the Whitegate Refinery and Bantry Bay Terminal on Whiddy Island. The INPC has had no operational capacity since the sale of its business and commercial interests in 2001. The State, through INPC, retains responsibility for the damaged jetty at Whiddy Island, Bantry Bay without time or financial limitation.

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is responsible for protecting the environment in Ireland, through licensing, enforcement, monitoring and guidance. It was set up in 1993 under the Environmental Protection Agency Act 1992 as an independent public body.

Inland Fisheries Ireland

Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) was established under the Inland Fisheries Act 2010. IFI is the agency responsible for the protection, management and conservation of Ireland's inland fisheries and sea angling resources.

Loughs Agency

The Loughs Agency was established under the British-Irish Agreement Act 1999. It is a North-South body under the co-sponsorship of the department and the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (Northern Ireland). The agency aims to provide effective conservation, management, promotion and development of the fisheries and marine resources of the Foyle and Carlingford areas. It is also responsible for the development and licensing of aquaculture, as well as the development of marine tourism.

Mining Board

The Mining Board, comprising a Chairperson and two ordinary members, is established pursuant to Section 33(1) of the Minerals Development Act 1940. The Board convenes on a case-by-case basis to examine issues arising over the exercising of mineral rights and where appropriate, to determine compensation arising as a consequence of the exercising of those rights.

Maritime Area Regulatory Authority (MARA)

The Maritime Area Regulatory Authority (MARA) was established as a statutory body responsible for regulation in the maritime area. Established in July 2023, it is an independent corporate entity having full responsibility under law for the performance of its functions which are set out in the Maritime Area Planning Acts 2021 and 2022, and it has a key role to play in the new streamlined consenting system for the maritime area.