Department of Climate, Energy and the Environment

Department of Climate, Energy and the Environment

Internal communications from the Department sent between 27 September and 12 October of 2022. Specifically emails and memos from within the Department discussing the decrease to 0% of the NORA Fuel levy and the subsequent reduction of the NORA fuel levy to 0.1 cent per litre.

Department of Climate, Energy and the Environment

For the years 2017 – 2021 that the Department provide the following information in tabular form: 1. The Total Number of FOIs received by the Department 2. A Breakdown of the number of Personal v. Non-personal v Mixed 3. The Number of FOIs that received a charge per year or had the applicant pay a cost 4. The Total cost per year for Search, Retrieval and Copying Charges.

Department of Climate, Energy and the Environment

All reports, analysis and modelling prepared by McKinsey and Company under the following contracts for services as outlined in PQ 56440/22; Provision of technical support services to: (1) inform, and assist, in the preparation and delivery of Ireland’s sectoral emissions ceilings (2) identify the plans, policies and measures required to achieve these ceilings. Extension 1; (1) Underpin sectoral targets with detailed policies, measures and actions. (2) Set-out a governance/ delivery approach for annual climate planning. Extension 2; (1) Provide technical support in relation to unallocated emissions savings.

Department of Climate, Energy and the Environment

All correspondence and documents relating to the management of data protection obligations of PPNs including, but not limited to, correspondence with Local Authorities, other government Departments or agencies, and the Office of the Data Protection Commission and including, but not limited to, any documentation relating to the development or delivery of guidance, policies and procedures, or training materials relating to data protection obligations of PPNs and Local Authorities in relation to their support of PPNs.

Department of Climate, Energy and the Environment

1. All submissions to the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications on the public consultation phase of the review of the security of energy supply. The deadline for submissions was October 28th, 2022. 2. Any notes, summaries, draft reports or reports submitted to the Minister for the Environment and Ministers of state in the Department in connection with the review and possible conclusions from the review; any responses from the Minister. 3. Any submissions, reports or correspondence to the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications in connection with the review from any other Department, public body or regulatory authority.

Department of Climate, Energy and the Environment

All correspondence sent and received by the Minister Eamon Ryan or from his office regarding the Ministerial order to overturn the restriction on data centre development in South Dublin County Council's Development Plan and any circulars or memorandums issued on this subject, in the period May 2022 - December 2022

Department of Climate, Energy and the Environment

All records showing that the Irish Pike Society adhere to Sports Ireland governance standards and criteria, to enable it to participate in the Angling Consultative Council of Ireland (ACCI).

Department of Climate, Energy and the Environment

The Habitats Directive Article 6(3) compliance for Wild Salmon and Sea Trout regulations for Atlantic salmon angling season due to commence on January 1st 2023.

Department of Climate, Energy and the Environment

With reference to the proposed closure of the Eske Fishery, under The Freedom of Information Act 2014, we hereby request the details of what data was used to ascertain closure of said Fishery. A fishery adjacent to The Eske (The Eany Fishery) has been deemed Catch and Release. Both of these fisheries have had full fish counters operational for a long number of years. From the data runs of salmon, that the Eske Angling Association has already obtained, going back some years, as per IFI Counter Data Summary Reports, The Eany is further from its Conservation Limit than The Eske Fishery.

Department of Climate, Energy and the Environment

Copies of correspondence in relation meetings between Minister Eamon Ryan and his officials and Electric Ireland; SSE; Energia; BGE; PrePay Power and Pinergy between the dates 1 September 2022 and 20 October 2022. This should include all documents, minutes of meetings, correspondence, emails, memos and briefing documents.

Department of Climate, Energy and the Environment

In the attached judgment, it details an agreement was reached with the OIC that they would not seek costs but would bear their own costs despite winning the SC appeal. I wish to apply for access to records relating to that agreement.

Department of Climate, Energy and the Environment

This application under the Freedom of Information Act is for the following records: 1. Any correspondence since September 1st 2021 to Minister for the Environment Eamon Ryan, his advisors or the Department of Environment from Meta Platforms or its subsidiaries Facebook, WhatsApp or Instagram on: a. EU-US data transfers b. Online safety issues c. Meta’s position on the Online Safety Bill d. Meta’s position on the Media Regulation Bill e. The EU’s proposed regulation on child sexual abuse material f. The Electoral Reform Bill, and any proposed amendments to the Bill g. Ireland’s approach to enforcement of the EU’s General Data Protection Regulation h. Ireland’s approach to corporate taxation and tax-related regulation. 2. Records or minutes of any meetings or phone calls on the same topics (a–h above) between Minister for the Environment Eamon Ryan, his advisors or the Department of Environment and representatives of Meta Platforms or any of its subsidiaries. 3. Any submissions, notes, reports or draft reports on topics a–h submitted to Minister for the Environment Eamon Ryan, his advisors or the Department of Environment from Meta Platforms or any of its subsidiaries.

Department of Climate, Energy and the Environment

All written correspondence including faxes, e mails, memos, reports, minutes of meetings, letters, invoices, text messages and messages on social messaging apps such as WhatsApp regarding air fares, hotel accommodation, fees, all other expenses, subsistence payments, allowances, cancelled bookings and refunds, for COP27.

Department of Climate, Energy and the Environment

1. A list of the entities that submitted tenders under RFT Support services to assist in the preparation and delivery of Irelands sectoral emissions ceilings as published on Etenders on 17th February 2022. 2. Details of the scores provided to each tenderer in respect of the aforementioned RFT and comments provided by the evaluation team with respect to the highest-ranked tender. 3. A copy of the non-confidential elements of McKinsey’s tender in respect of the aforementioned RFT. 4. Details of the additional scope(s) of work carried out by McKinsey that resulted in an increase in the value of the overall award of €430k. We note that the contract award notice published on Etenders states that the initial estimated value of the contract was €700k, whereas the Sunday Times article notes that the value of McKinsey’s contract to date is €1.13m. 5. A log of the FOI request and information received by journalist ……. with respect to this story.

Department of Climate, Energy and the Environment

Access to all non-personal records relating to the decision that the An Post Main Superannuation Scheme 1990 should continue in operation in their application to all members who had retired or left prior to the date of the revocation of those Schemes in 2012.

Department of Climate, Energy and the Environment

Correspondence between Michael McCarthy, Cloud Infrastructure Ireland, to Paul Kenny, Department special advisor, the Minister, the Department Secretary General, on the topic of data, data centres, energy, Cloud Infrastructure Ireland, between 1st August 2021 and 1st March 2022.

Department of Climate, Energy and the Environment

Minutes of meetings of the offshore wind delivery taskforce, and associated materials (presentations, agendas, memos arising from action points at meetings, etc)

Department of Climate, Energy and the Environment

1. Any minutes of meetings of the Energy Security Emergency Group and any of its sub- groups between the 6th October and the 23rd November 2. Any documents/presentations provided or presented as part of those meetings.

Department of Climate, Energy and the Environment

The following information pertaining to public records from the public consultation on draft regulations to introduce an environmental levy on single-use disposable cups: 1. Total number of online survey submissions recorded in the Public Consultation Category 2. Total number of survey submissions recorded in the Public Consultation Category via physical mail 3. Total number of survey submissions recorded in the Public Consultation Category via email 4. Total number of online survey submissions recorded in the Retailer Consultation Category 5. Total number of survey submissions recorded in the Retailer Consultation Category via physical mail 6. Total number of survey submissions recorded in the Retailer Consultation Category via email 7. Total number of online submissions recorded in the ‘Other stakeholder’ Category received via email 8. Total number of online submissions recorded in the ‘Other stakeholder’ Category received via physical mail

Department of Climate, Energy and the Environment

An itinerary of Minister Eamon Ryan’s recent trip to COP27 at Sharm El Sheikh. I would like a complete list of all Departmental staff who accompanied the Minister and any other people from other Government Departments or extraneous to Government that travelled by invite or request of Minister Ryan and the Department. I request all records of, and an individual breakdown of all costs and expenses incurred by the Department including transportation to the airport, airfares, hotel costs, and records of any and all costs incurred by the Department for food, sight seeing etc. I request all records pertaining to individual members of the Irish delegation with respect to what elements of the conference they attended including sign in times and times they left. I request any official Departmental reports prepared for or by the Minister concerning what was learned or gained by the Irish entourage either individually or en masse.

Department of Climate, Energy and the Environment

Copies of any records held referring or relating to the failure by Ireland to submit an application for funding under the REPowerEU scheme. This request to cover the period 1 March 2022 to date of receipt of the request.

Department of Climate, Energy and the Environment

1. A list of all e submissions sent to the cabinet Minister in this Department during August, September and October of 2022 Please note, I am not looking for the esubs themselves, just a list of their titles

Department of Climate, Energy and the Environment

All correspondence (emails, letters, text messages, and any other form of digital communication) received by the Department, including the National Cyber Security Center, and all correspondence sent by the Department, including the National Cyber Security Centre, between March 1, 2022, to December 10, 2022, that contains the following phrases: - Predator spyware - Intellexa - Thalestris - Elpidina - Sara Hamou - David Ridgway - Tal Dilian The relevant correspondence would likely fall under the Department's Communications and Digital remit.

Department of Climate, Energy and the Environment

Access to all non-personal records relating to the authorisation during 2022 by the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources of increases to pensions of transferred civil servants in payment under the An Post Main Superannuation Scheme, 1990 including, but not limited to, records relating to the “not less favourable” guarantee in section 46(4) of the Postal and Telecommunications Services Act 1983.

Department of Climate, Energy and the Environment

Access to all non-personal records relating to the advice of the attorney general that all ex- Department of Posts and Telegraphs pensioners of An Post and Eircom should have their pensions aligned with civil service pay as reported in the Sunday Times 5 January 2014, and the implementation of that advice.

Department of Climate, Energy and the Environment

All records, correspondence, reports and meeting minutes held in relation to the Large Energy User Rebalancing Subvention for the period 7th July until 7th October 2022, with the exclusion of all records related to the briefing prepared for the Secretary Generals appearance at the Public Accounts committee but to include the final briefing provided by the Electricity Networks and Systems Unit for inclusion as part of the wider briefing for the Secretary General’s appearance. For records related to the provision of briefing (other than that referenced above), answering Leaders Questions and/ or PQs, unless the Large Energy User Rebalancing Subvention is referenced in the body of an email, I will accept the final briefing or answer that relates to the Large Energy User Rebalancing Subvention and cover email as it left a Principal Officers area. Where referenced in the body of an email that email is also to be included.

Department of Climate, Energy and the Environment

Copies of audits in relation to emergency call answering services and systems used in Ireland, undertaken or received by the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications, from 1 January 2021 to present day.

Department of Climate, Energy and the Environment

All communication sent and received by the Office of the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications, including the Minister himself , in relation to the EU Nature Restoration Law, between January 1, 2022 and the present.

Department of Climate, Energy and the Environment

The Departmental risk register

Department of Climate, Energy and the Environment

Any and all records relating to the applicability of the TRIS process (The (EU) 2015/1535 procedure) to the Online Safety and Media Regulation Bill, to include but not limited to any correspondence relating to or arising from communications between the Irish State and the European Commission on the topic of the Bill. The Temporal scope of this request is limited to records created in 2022.

Department of Climate, Energy and the Environment

A record of all communications and independent reports shared, between Minister Eamon Ryan, The General Secretary General of the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications, Geoscience Regulation Office and the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications, if any, with Providence Resources PLC and Exola DAC, in relation to the updated SEL1/11 (Barryroe) lease undertaking application, during the period July 1st, 2022, to present.

Department of Climate, Energy and the Environment

a. Any correspondence between Dublin City Council's chief executive Owen Keegan and officials in the Department of Environment about help with funding to clear the big illegal dump north of Moatview Court in Priorswood. I would like any correspondence from 10 September 2022 to present.

Department of Climate, Energy and the Environment

Copies of all complaints emailed by members of the public to Minister Eamon Ryan and his Department for the month of September 2022 specifically on the rising costs of their energy bills.

Department of Climate, Energy and the Environment

All submissions made during the consultation period on the energy security of supply review that closed in October.

Department of Climate, Energy and the Environment

Any emails, notes, memos, briefings and/or records sent between Aughnish Alumina and Eamon Ryan since February 2020.

Department of Climate, Energy and the Environment

Records (specifically meeting minutes, briefing papers, letters, reports or documents provided by the lobbying entity, presentations at the meeting and/or specific records directly mentioned in the meeting minutes not already publicly available) related to the following meetings as outlined in the following lobbying returns: Meeting with Viridian / Energia Group ROI Holdings DAC as outlined in this lobbying return: https://www.lobbying.ie/return/17942/viridian-power--energy-holdings-limited Meeting with RHH International / Backup Power Limited as outlined in this lobbying return: https://www.lobbying.ie/return/28947/rhh-international Letters from, and meetings with RHH International / Backup Power Limited as outlined in this lobbying return: https://www.lobbying.ie/return/28943/rhh-international *In all the above, please exclude all correspondence in relation to the setting up or organising of physical or virtual meetings.

Department of Climate, Energy and the Environment

Request – under the Freedom of Information Act 2014 – for the following to cover the time period 1 January 2020-present: • Copies of any internal non-technical reports or briefing documents provided to, or requested by, • senior management or Ministerial level about new ESB/ESB Networks units proposed for Ringsend, Poolbeg and Corduff that were successful at the 2022/2023 T-4 Capacity auction in 2019; •*In all the above, please exclude all correspondence in relation to the setting up or organising of physical or virtual meetings.

Department of Climate, Energy and the Environment

1. Any emails, memos, letters or submissions and their attachments were relevant, between officials in the Department of Climate, Environment and Communications at the level of Principal Officer and above regarding the introduction of an electricity retail price cap between 1st August 2022 and 27th September 2022; 2. Any emails, memos, letters or submissions and their attachments were relevant, between officials in the Department of Climate, Environment and Communications, at the level of Principal Officer and above and the Minister for Climate, Environment and Communications regarding the introduction of an electricity retail price cap between 1st August 2022 and 27th September 2022; 3. Any emails, memos, letters or submissions and their attachments were relevant, between officials in the Department of Climate, Environment and Communications, at the level of Principal Officer and above and the Commission for the Regulation of Utilities regarding the introduction of an electricity retail price cap between 1st August 2022 and 27th September 2022; 4. Any emails, memos, letters or submissions and their attachments were relevant, between officials in the Department of Finance, at the level of Principal Officer and officials in the Department of Environment, Communications and Climate Action at the level of Principal Officer regarding the introduction of an electricity retail price cap between 1st August 2022 and 27th September 2022.

Department of Climate, Energy and the Environment

Records related to gas connections for data centres. Minister Eamon Ryan wrote to the CEO of GNI, Cathal Marley, in July 2022 outlining that “it would not be appropriate for Gas Networks Ireland to sign any more contracts to connect data centres to the gas network where the data centre would be powered mainly by on-site fossil fuel generation”, with a view to a meeting in September on the matter. The letter was previously released to RTE under FOI. I wish to request the following records to cover the period 1 July 2022-present: Minutes of any follow up meetings between DECC and GNI and/or Ervia at senior management and/or Ministerial level on this issue; Briefing papers for the Minister for any meetings with GN and/or ErviaI on this issue; The latest briefing paper or update report for the Minister or his direct staff on the current situation in relation to gas connections for data centres and/or any temporary pause on new connections conducted by GNI and/or Ervia

Department of Climate, Energy and the Environment

• All minutes of meetings of the Energy Supply Emergency Group • All briefing documents prepared for Minister Ryan in relation to same • All correspondence between the Department and the other members of the sub-group in relation to the business of the sub-group • All presentations or other documentation presented at the meetings of the sub-group

Department of Climate, Energy and the Environment

- Any correspondence between 1/6/2022 and 6/10/2022 to or from electricity and gas utilities in relation to the enhanced consumer protection measures that were announced on 25 August in relation to prepaid meters, held at PO level or above - Correspondence between 1/6/2022 and 6/10/2022 to or from electricity and gas utilities in relation to measures for customers with prepaid meters since the announcement of the enhanced protection measures on 25 August, held at PO level or above - Correspondence between 1/6/2022 and 6/10/2022 to or from the Commission for Regulation of Utilities in relation to enhanced consumer protection measures for people with prepaid meters in relation to the decision to the announcement on 25 August and since, held at PO level or above - Minutes and agendas of any meetings, between 1/6/2022 and 6/10/2022, internal to the Department or with others such as the Commission for Regulation of Utilities and utility companies, that discussed the enhanced consumer protection measures that were announced on 25 August and since, held at PO level or above

Department of Climate, Energy and the Environment

• Copies of all correspondence to/from the secretary general related to the return to office working at the Department following the Covid-19 pandemic. • The correspondence can be limited to items to/from the following: Ministers; unions. • The time period for the correspondence can be limited to 1/8/2022 to 18/10/2022. • The records should include copies of any documents attached or enclosed with the correspondence. • Details of the total number of staff employed by the Department as of 18/10/2022 and a breakdown of how many are working from home; working in the office; working in a hybrid arrangement. • Copies of any internal publications/reports on remote working/return to the office drawn up since 31/1/2022.

Department of Climate, Energy and the Environment

Advice sent to Leo Varadkar from DECC on 20th May, 2022 about meeting with New Fortress Energy chief executive Wes Edens

Department of Climate, Energy and the Environment

All correspondence between Inland Fisheries Ireland, the board of Inland Fisheries Ireland, individual members of Inland Fisheries Ireland, representatives of Inland Fisheries Ireland, any person connected to Inland Fisheries Ireland in any capacity whatsoever and the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications and details of all correspondence regarding the above listed people and the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications: Access to any and all records held by the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications (including, but not limited to, files, memoranda, correspondence, minutes, reports, electronic media, or other documentation received or written, howsoever stored) in relation to all correspondence between the above listed people and the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications and the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications. Copy of all documents, files, memos, letters, notes (hand-written or electronic), briefings and all information in relation to the above listed people and the Department and the Minister. All records of phone calls, discussions, meetings in relation to all correspondence between the above listed people and the Department and the Minister.

Department of Climate, Energy and the Environment

• Copies of any reports, non-technical analyses and/or briefing papers prepared by or requested by the Energy Security Emergency Group; • Copies of any reports, non-technical analyses and/or briefing papers prepared required by and/or supplied to Mr Dermot McCarthy as part of the Electricity Security of Supply independent review; • Minutes of any meetings between senior management (Ass Sec Gen and above) and/or the Minister with Mr Dermot McCarthy in relation to the Electricity Security of Supply independent review

Department of Climate, Energy and the Environment

Any communications between 1 January 2021 to the date of this letter relating or referring to the STEP Project, SLNG, NFE or LNG developments in general (but excluding any communications solely referring to the other LNG projects) between the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications ("the Department"), including Department officials, the Department's Minister and advisors to the Minister and the following bodies: Eirgrid Gas Networks Ireland Commission for Regulations of Utilities any other regulatory body or state agency any non-governmental organistaion any other Department of Government including any subsidiary units, committees, working groups or agencies. This includes emails, letters, notes, and minutes of meetings. Any documents, created between 1 January 2021 to the date of this letter, held by or on behalf of the Department relating or referring to the STEP Project, SLNG, NFE or LNG developments in general (but excluding any documents specifically created for other LNG projects) which do not already fall within 1 above.

Department of Climate, Energy and the Environment

Any records between the Minister/senior Department officials and RTE relating to the misclassification of workers as self-employed over the last six months.

Department of Climate, Energy and the Environment

Any correspondence between the Minister or Secretary General or Matt Collins and outside third parties in relation to energy security and energy prices in the last six months to present. Any internal memos created by Collins or his Department and sent to Minister in relation to Ireland's energy supply in the last 6 months. Any correspondence between the Minister and the Dept of Taoiseach on the review of energy security supply from June to present. Clarification received 12/10/2022 Records sought above are from July 01st 2022 to present

Department of Climate, Energy and the Environment

All records of communications (correspondence, emails, phone memos) and attached documents between the Minister Eamon Ryan and senior officials at DECC and Transport Infrastructure Ireland and Galway City and County Councils referencing the Galway ring road plan, from October 14th to date (following An Bord Pleanala's decision not to contest a High Court action on that date) .

Department of Climate, Energy and the Environment

• Copies of any internal reports, briefing papers, or assessments concerning capacity constraint issues (current or future) in energy generation to meet energy demand (current or future) written between 1 January 2017 and 1 January 2021; • Copies of any internal reports, briefing papers, or assessments concerning issues (planning; turbines, suppliers; environmental assessments, etc) with the new capacity units proposed for Ringsend, Poolbeg and Corduff that were successful at the 2022/2023 T-4 Capacity auction in 2019; • Copies of any internal meeting minutes, reports, briefing papers, or assessments in which staffing issues (such as high rate of staff turnover, loss of institutional knowledge, staff morale, etc.) in either Eirgrid or the CRU are mentioned since 1 January 2021;