- Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources
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Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources Appointer President of Ireland on the nomination of the Taoiseach Inaugural holder Seán Etchingham as Director of Fisheries Formation 26 August 1921 Website dcenr.gov.ie The Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources (Irish: An tAire Cumarsáide, Fuinnimh agus Achmhainní Nádúrtha) is the senior minister at the Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources in the Government of Ireland.
The current Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources is Pat Rabbitte, TD. He is assisted by:
- Fergus O'Dowd, TD – Minister of State for the NewERA Project[1]
Overview
The Department has responsibilities in the areas of:
Communications
- Communications development – promotion of the provision and development of competitive high quality and world class services in the communications, electronic and mobile commerce sectors.
- Business and technology – focusing on new business and technology applications and the development of policies, initiatives and legislation as appropriate.
- Regulatory affairs – the development of effective policies for the regulation of the electronic communications sector and management of the radio frequency spectrum.
- Postal services – the development of an effective policy for the Irish postal sector based on open market principles.
- It is seen as a replacement to the old Department of Posts and Telegraphs.
Natural Resources
- The Petroleum Affairs Division aims to:
- maximise the benefits to the State from exploration for and production of indigenous oil and gas resources;
- ensure that activities are conducted safely and with due regard to their impact on the environment and other land/sea users.
- The Exploration and Mining Division of the Department is charged with:
- applying the Minerals Development Act to minerals exploration and development;
- encouraging the early identification and responsible development by private investors of the Nation's minerals deposits in accordance with best international practice;
- enhancing the attractiveness of Ireland for international and national minerals investment by active promotional measures.
- The Geological Survey of Ireland is:
- Ireland's National Earth Science Agency, and is responsible for providing geological advice and information.
Energy
- To develop a competitive energy supply industry
- To ensure security and reliability of energy supply
- To develop energy conservation and end-use efficiency
Broadcasting
The Broadcasting Division aims to:
- Develop a policy and legislative framework to facilitate the provision of quality broadcasting services in Ireland
- To optimise the opportunities presented by the emerging technologies for the provision of new Irish-based broadcasting services.
Marine
The Department has a wide range of roles and functions in the areas of:
- Public safety
- Environmental protection
- Coastal zone
From January 2006 several areas including The Irish Coast Guard, Marine Survey Office and Maritime Safety Division, were moved to the Department of Transport.
List of office-holders
Director of Fisheries 1919–1921
No. Name Entered Office Left Office Party 1. Seán Etchingham 2 April 1919 26 August 1921 Sinn Féin Secretary for Fisheries 1921–1922
No. Name Entered Office Left Office Party Seán Etchingham 26 August 1921 9 January 1922 Sinn Féin Minister for Fisheries 1922–1930
No. Name Entered Office Left Office Party 2. Fionán Lynch 14 December 1922 3 April 1930 Cumann na nGaedheal Minister for Lands and Fisheries 1930–1937
No. Name Entered Office Left Office Party Fionán Lynch 3 April 1930 9 March 1932 Cumann na nGaedheal 3. P. J. Ruttledge 9 March 1932 8 February 1933 Fianna Fáil 4. Joseph Connolly 8 February 1933 29 May 1936 Fianna Fáil 5. Frank Aiken 3 June 1936 11 November 1936 Fianna Fáil 6. Gerald Boland 11 November 1936 21 July 1937 Fianna Fáil Minister for Lands 1937–1977
No. Name Entered Office Left Office Party Gerald Boland 21 July 1937 8 September 1939 Fianna Fáil 7. Thomas Derrig (1st time) 8 September 1939 2 July 1943 Fianna Fáil 8. Seán Moylan 2 July 1943 18 February 1948 Fianna Fáil 9. Joseph Blowick (1st time) 18 February 1948 7 March 1951 Clann na Talmhan Thomas Derrig (2nd time) 13 June 1951 2 June 1954 Fianna Fáil Joseph Blowick (2nd time) 2 June 1954 20 March 1957 Clann na Talmhan 10. Erskine H. Childers 20 March 1957 23 July 1959 Fianna Fáil 11. Micheál Ó Móráin 23 July 1959 26 March 1968 Fianna Fáil 12. Pádraig Faulkner 26 March 1968 2 July 1969 Fianna Fáil 13. Seán Flanagan 2 July 1969 14 March 1973 Fianna Fáil 14. Tom Fitzpatrick (1st time) 14 March 1973 2 December 1976 Fine Gael 15. Paddy Donegan 2 December 1976 9 February 1977 Fine Gael Minister for Fisheries 1977–1978
No. Name Entered Office Left Office Party Paddy Donegan 9 February 1977 5 July 1977 Fine Gael 16. Brian Lenihan 5 July 1977 15 July 1978 Fianna Fáil Minister for Fisheries and Forestry 1978–1986
No. Name Entered Office Left Office Party Brian Lenihan 15 July 1978 11 December 1979 Fianna Fáil 17. Paddy Power 12 December 1979 30 June 1981 Fianna Fáil Tom Fitzpatrick (2nd time) 30 June 1981 9 March 1982 Fine Gael 18. Brendan Daly (1st time) 9 March 1982 14 December 1982 Fianna Fáil 19. Paddy O'Toole (1st time) 14 December 1982 14 February 1986 Fine Gael 20. Liam Kavanagh 14 February 1986 19 February 1986 Labour Party Minister for Tourism, Fisheries and Forestry 1986–1987
No. Name Entered Office Left Office Party Liam Kavanagh 19 February 1986 20 January 1987 Labour Party Paddy O'Toole (2nd time) 20 January 1987 10 March 1987 Fine Gael Brendan Daly (2nd time) 10 March 1987 20 March 1987 Fianna Fáil Minister for the Marine 1987–1997
No. Name Entered Office Left Office Party Brendan Daly (2nd time) 20 March 1987 12 July 1989 Fianna Fáil 21. John Wilson 12 July 1989 11 February 1992 Fianna Fáil 22. Michael Woods (1st time) 11 February 1992 12 January 1993 Fianna Fáil 23. David Andrews[2] 12 January 1993 15 December 1994 Fianna Fáil 24. Hugh Coveney[2] 15 December 1994 23 May 1995 Fine Gael 25. Seán Barrett[2] 23 May 1995 26 June 1997 Fine Gael Michael Woods (2nd time) 26 June 1997 12 July 1997 Fianna Fáil Minister for Marine and Natural Resources 1997–2002
No. Name Entered Office Left Office Party Michael Woods (2nd time) 12 July 1997 27 January 2000 Fianna Fáil 26. Frank Fahey 27 January 2000 6 June 2002 Fianna Fáil Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources 2002–2007
No. Name Entered Office Left Office Party 27. Dermot Ahern 6 June 2002 29 September 2004 Fianna Fáil 28. Noel Dempsey 29 September 2004 14 June 2007 Fianna Fáil Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources 2007–present
No. Name Entered Office Left Office Party 29. Eamon Ryan 14 June 2007 23 January 2011 Green Party 30. Pat Carey 23 January 2011 9 March 2011 Fianna Fáil 31. Pat Rabbitte 9 March 2011 Incumbent Labour Party See also
References
External links
Government of Ireland Rialtas na hÉireann Taoiseach (Prime Minister) · Tánaiste (Deputy Prime Minister)
Agriculture, Food and the Marine · Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht · Children and Youth Affairs · Communications, Energy and Natural Resources · Defence · Education and Skills · Environment, Community and Local Government · Finance · Foreign Affairs and Trade · Health · Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation · Justice and Equality · Public Expenditure and Reform · Social Protection · Transport, Tourism and Sport
Former Government ministries:
Communications · Co-ordination of Defensive Measures · Economic Affairs · Fine Arts · Industries · Irish · Labour · Posts and Telegraphs · Public Service · Publicity · Supplies
Categories:- Government ministers of the Republic of Ireland
- Lists of government ministers of Ireland
- Communications in the Republic of Ireland
- Energy in the Republic of Ireland
- Telecommunications in the Republic of Ireland
- Ministries established in 1921
- Communication ministers
- Energy ministers
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