Department of Climate, Energy and the Environment

Department of Climate, Energy and the Environment

I wish to request access to any record which show total expenditure in your FOI body in 2025 on provision of free period products. I am seeking any single record, or the smallest number of records possible to provide the information sought - I am not seeking "any and all" such records.

Department of Climate, Energy and the Environment

Please provide me with the training material your staff use to respond to FOI requests. I am happy to take advice on how to amend the request if the volume of material is excessive. My particular interest is in the guidance they are given on assumption of openness and how they are instructed on how to apply exemptions. Not the background to the introduction of the Act,

Department of Climate, Energy and the Environment

1: The number of surveys that were conducted for the purpose of assessment under the Warmer Homes Scheme nationally in 2025 2. The average cost of a warmer homes scheme survey 3. The average cost of a survey under the WHS/EEOS Collaborate Pilot Scheme in 2025 4. The total cost spent on surveys to date under the WHS/EEOS Collaborate Pilot Scheme in 2025

Department of Climate, Energy and the Environment

Records specific to the following lobbying engagements of Google with the department: - https://www.lobbying.ie/return/126824/google-ireland-limited - https://www.lobbying.ie/return/121972/google-ireland-limited

Department of Climate, Energy and the Environment

I am seeking a list of esubmissions submitted to the Minister for Environment, Climate and Communications through the e-submissions channel. I wish for my request to cover the period from 01-05-2025 - 31-05-2025.

Department of Climate, Energy and the Environment

Subject: Sonar Logs from RV Celtic Explorer Involving Anomalous Contacts (2015–2024) I am seeking access to sonar contact records and associated reports generated by the RV Celtic Explorer, specifically: 1. Date Range: o 1 January 2015 to 31 December 2024 2. Vessel: o RV Celtic Explorer only 3. Subset of Data Requested: o Sonar logs, summaries, or contact reports describing underwater contacts that meet any of the following conditions:  Reported or logged speeds exceeding 100 knots  Sudden vertical or horizontal movements consistent with transmedium travel  Absence of cavitation, wake, or propulsion signature for objects exhibiting unusual acceleration or motion 4. Suggested Search Filters (where applicable): o “unidentified submerged object” o “transmedium” o “no propulsion signature” o “exceeds 100 knots” If this revised scope is still too broad, I am happy to: • Limit the timeframe further (e.g., to a 2-year or mission-specific period), • Focus on a particular geographic region (e.g., continental shelf west of Ireland), or • Restrict to only summary logs or anomaly reports, not full sonar data sets”

Department of Climate, Energy and the Environment

Correspondence (from the period 1 Jan, 2025 to 30 Apr, 2025) between Patrick Neary (Assistant Secretary Department of Environment, Climate and Communications) and Google Ireland Limited related to the following Lobbying Register entry - https://www.lobbying.ie/return/126824/google-ireland-limited Minutes from meetings (held in the period 1 Jan, 2025 to 30 Apr, 2025) between Patrick Neary (Assistant Secretary Department of Environment, Climate and Communications) and Google Ireland Limited related to the following Lobbying Register entry - https://www.lobbying.ie/return/126824/google-ireland-limited

Department of Climate, Energy and the Environment

• Any emails, letters, correspondence sent from Kestrel Energy Storage to Department of the Environment since January 2025 • Any memos, minutes of meetings, briefings etc. sent in relation to a meeting between DECC officials and Kestrel held since January 2025.

Department of Climate, Energy and the Environment

Any emails, letters, correspondence sent from Europa Oil & Gas (Holdings) plc (or Murrays PR acting on their behalf) over FEL 4/19 licence sent to Daragh O'Brien since January 2025. Any memos, minutes of meetings, briefings etc. sent in relation to a meeting between Europa Oil & Gas (Holdings) plc (or Murrays PR acting on their behalf) Daragh O'Brien held since January 2025.

Department of Climate, Energy and the Environment

We hereby request that the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications (the Department) furnish us with all Records (as defined in the Act) passing between it and Ernst & Young, Philip Lee LLP and RPS Group, and each of those service providers amongst each other, that contains information referencing or relating to (i) the terms of reference of their respective engagement into a review of the structure and operation of the household waste collection market in Ireland; and (ii) the preparation of the public consultation questionnaire on the feasibility of transitioning Ireland's waste collection market from its current side-by-side licensing system to a franchise tendering system between 1 January 2024 and the date of this request.

Department of Climate, Energy and the Environment

All communication since January 2024 with 1. Manna Drone Limited [1]; 2. Just Eat Takeaway.com [2]; 3. DoorDash [3] 4. Wing aviation [4] (or Wing, a subsidiary of Alphabet Inc. which also owns Google) Clarification: I can restrict my request to records in the following policy areas: - Environment - Business and Public Sector Energy

Department of Climate, Energy and the Environment

All correspondence between and all records/minutes of any meetings held between Patrick Neary, Department of Environment, Climate and Communications, and David McRedmond, An Post, dated between 25/01 and 25/05.

Department of Climate, Energy and the Environment

1. Correspondence between the minister and officials above principal level or higher on NDRC, the organisation which operates the national start-up accelerator, from May 01 to June 18, 2025 2. Correspondence between the department and NDRC over the same time period 2. Correspondence between the department and the Department of Enterprise over the same time period.

Department of Climate, Energy and the Environment

1) Any records held by this Department relating to any contracts or services from Palantir for any government service? (For example, financial management, data and analytics etc) 2) Any records held by this Department relating to this Dept using the services of any of the priority boycott targets of the BDS movement? (Intel, Dell, Siemens, HP)

Department of Climate, Energy and the Environment

I request copies (hard copy and/or electronic) of the early reports of the Water Resources Advisory Committee of An Foras Forbartha - the National Institute for Physical Planning and Construction Research. An Foras is no longer in existence since ~1987. The Committee was chaired by Mr. Larry Enright, Head of the Water Resources Division. I am particularly interested in what may be the first report, probably drafted by Senator Professor James C. I. Dooge, who was a member of the advisory committee in the early 1970s.

Department of Climate, Energy and the Environment

As of 23 April 2025 The number of WTE staff by grade and gender that are employed by the Department in tabular form

Department of Climate, Energy and the Environment

A list of all individuals appointed as Special Advisers to any Minister or Minister of State within the Department, from 2011 to date, including:  Name of the adviser  Minister to whom they were assigned  Date of appointment  Date of resignation or cessation (if applicable)  Sanctioned salary rate at time of appointment  Total remuneration actually paid during the period of their service (gross, per year or cumulative) Any records containing biographical information provided to the Department or held by the Department in relation to those advisers, such as:  Curriculum Vitae (CV)  Biographical summaries prepared for internal use, ministerial briefings, or external publication (e.g., press releases or website bios) I believe the relevant records should all be held by HR/Payroll, although the requested information may not exist in a single precompiled record. I therefore request that, where necessary, new record(s) be created, under Section 17(4) of the FOI Act 2014, for the purpose of collating the requested details — particularly in relation to total pay received, biographical information, and the full timeline of appointments and resignations. I would note that, in relation to remuneration, I am looking for both the pay rate and the actual remuneration paid during their tenure. Whilst it may be argued that the actual remuneration is personal information I would note that the OIC has taken the view that "persons in receipt of remuneration sourced from public funds should have a diminished expectation of privacy or confidentiality in relation to that remuneration." Particularly, case 090149 specifically found against the idea that an applicant, the CEO of a public service body, "could have had a reasonable expectation that his level of remuneration would never be disclosed to the public. The Commissioner also considered that release of the salary details at issue would not be a hugely significant invasion of the rights to privacy of the applicant to the extent that disclosure of health or other personal details might be."

Department of Climate, Energy and the Environment

Copy of correspondence between the chair of the Maritime Area Regulatory Authority and the Minister for Environment, Climate Change and Communications since 01 October 2024

Department of Climate, Energy and the Environment

• Any emails, letters, correspondence sent from GNI to Daragh O'Brien in relation to semi-state CEO remuneration since January 2025. • Any memos, minutes of meetings, briefings etc. sent in relation to a meeting between GNI and Daragh O' Brien where remuneration was spoken about and held since January 2025.

Department of Climate, Energy and the Environment

• Any emails, letters, correspondence sent from Europa Oil & Gas (Holdings) plc (or Murrays PR acting on their behalf) over FEL 4/19 licence sent to Sean Canney since January 2025. • Any memos, minutes of meetings, briefings etc. sent in relation to a meeting between Europa Oil & Gas (Holdings) plc (or Murrays PR acting on their behalf) and Sean Canney held since January 2025

Department of Climate, Energy and the Environment

Communications between the Department of the Environment, Climate, and Communications and the Sceirde Rocks Wind Farm developers, Fuinneamh Sceirde Teoranta and Corio Generation, between the 7th April 2025 and today's date (12th May 2025), on any matter regarding the proposed scheme but especially in regard to the developer's decision to no longer proceed with the development.

Department of Climate, Energy and the Environment

I hereby request access to records held by the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications relating to geoengineering, specifically the aerial spraying which took place over Galway between 08.00am and 6.00pm on the 29th April 2025. In particular, I am seeking: 1. All records, correspondence, briefings, reports meeting minutes, or emails from January 1, 2015 to the present that refer to or discuss: • Geoengineering or climate engineering activities including aerial spraying. • Any international collaborations, treaties, or monitoring related to geoengineering. 2. Any policies, regulations, or internal guidelines under development or in place regarding the oversight or approval of geoengineering research or deployment in Ireland. 3. Any submissions made by Ireland to international forums (e.g. UN, EU, Convention on Biological Diversity, London Protocol) concerning geoengineering.

Department of Climate, Energy and the Environment

We hereby request that the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications furnish us with all Records (as defined in the Act) passing between the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (the CCPC), the Department of Environment, Climate and Communications and the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage that contain information referencing or relating to: (i) The structure and operation of the household collection market in Ireland, (ii) The system of competition of the household waste collection market in Ireland, and (iii) The CCPC statement ‘Current waste market structure will never deliver for Irish public’ dated 15 April 2025. Between 1 January 2024 and the date of this request.

Department of Climate, Energy and the Environment

The name of each special adviser appointed at your department in respect of the 34th Dáil. The name of the minister to whom they were appointed. The date of their appointment. The sanctioned pay rate for them. The relevant pay-scale that applies to them.

Department of Climate, Energy and the Environment

I seek access to any records held by Geological Survey Ireland (GSI) from 1 January 2018 to the present that relate to unidentified aerial phenomena (UAP) and any associated physical, geological, marine, or geophysical anomalies. To assist with the practical handling of this request, I have set out below the specific record types and systems I believe are most relevant, along with targeted search terms and filters that may be used to identify responsive material. 1. INFOMAR and INSS Marine Survey Records Materials to be searched: • Sidescan sonar logs • Multibeam bathymetry annotations • Sub-bottom profiler records • Marine anomaly registers • Interpretive reports from mapping missions Suggested search terms: • “unidentified submerged object” or “USO” • “non-acoustic sonar return” • “object – no match to wreck database” • “unusual sonar shadow” • “transient sonar contact” • “metallic return – unknown source” 2. Geophysical and Magnetic Anomaly Records Materials to be searched: • Magnetic anomaly maps • Gravity survey records • Electromagnetic disturbance reports Suggested search terms: • “localized magnetic spike” • “EM field disruption” • “magnetic signature – no geological match” • “compass deviation” • “short-duration high-field anomaly” 3. Irish National Seismic Network (ISNN) Data Materials to be searched: • Seismic event logs and waveforms • Bulletins referencing non-tectonic events • Internal memos explaining seismic data with no geophysical source Suggested search terms: • “airburst-like seismic event” • “non-seismic waveform” • “high-altitude source” • “pressure signal unexplained” • “sonic boom with no aircraft confirmed” 4. Duty Geologist Logs and Public Queries Materials to be searched: • Email logs at duty.geologist@gsi.ie • Public query summaries • Field reports following site visits Suggested search terms: • “burned soil” or “scorched vegetation” • “circular ground impression” • “trace evidence of aerial object” • “soil radiation spike” • “unusual plant growth” • “metal fragment reported by public” 5. Geochemical and Physical Sample Analysis Records Materials to be searched: • Lab test reports (mineralogical, spectrographic, elemental) • Unclassified sample investigations • Communications with other agencies regarding unidentified material Suggested search terms: • “sample origin unknown” • “non-standard alloy” • “metallic fragment – not natural” • “high-purity magnesium” • “fused metal / slag – unidentified source” • “microsphere analysis” 6. Internal and Interagency Correspondence Materials to be searched: • Email archives of staff in marine, geophysics, and minerals sections • Memos and meeting notes involving anomaly reporting • Correspondence with other state bodies (e.g. Defence Forces, Marine Institute, Met Éireann) Suggested search terms: • “UAP” • “UFO” • “unidentified aerial” • “radar contact unexplained” • “Defence Forces query – aerial object” • “interagency meeting – UAP”

Department of Climate, Energy and the Environment

I seek access to any records held by Geological Survey Ireland (GSI) from 1 January 2018 to the present that relate to Unidentified Submerged Objects (USOs) or unexplained submerged features detected during marine surveys or geophysical work. To facilitate the practical processing of this request, I have outlined below the specific datasets, record types, and search filters relevant to this subject. 1. INFOMAR and INSS Marine Survey Records Materials to be searched: • Sidescan sonar and multibeam echosounder data • Sub-bottom profiler logs and anomaly annotations • Marine survey metadata and anomaly registers • Survey interpretation reports or seabed feature logs • GIS-linked seabed feature databases Suggested search terms: • “unidentified submerged object” or “USO” • “unexplained sonar return” • “submerged structure – unknown” • “feature with no geological classification” • “anomaly – not mapped wreck” • “non-geological seabed contact” • “object inconsistent with geology or geomorphology” 2. Anomaly Reports and Feature Classifications Materials to be searched: • Catalogues of marine features and anomalies • Reports classifying seabed structures or features as unknown or “unclassified” • Any correspondence with the Marine Institute about unexplained or unlisted seabed contacts Suggested search terms: • “submerged contact unidentified” • “object – no match to charted wrecks” • “unclassified bathymetric return” • “metallic or reflective sonar anomaly” • “structure not matching known geology” 3. Internal or Interagency Correspondence Materials to be searched: • Internal emails or memos regarding unusual sonar or marine geophysical findings • Communications with Defence Forces, Marine Institute, or Met Éireann referring to unexplained underwater objects or anomalies detected during state-led marine surveys Suggested search terms: • “USO” • “unidentified sonar contact” • “object tracked underwater” • “contact of unknown origin” • “Defence Forces inquiry – seabed anomaly”

Department of Climate, Energy and the Environment

All communication between members of the Project Team [as above], -individually or/and collectively, and with the National Parks and Wildlife Service on the possibility of impact of the Emerging Preferred Route on the wildlife of the Special Protection Area and Special Area of Conservation. Further, I seek information on any interaction between the Project Team, as above, and any other public body,[or public voluntary body with an interest in protecting the objectives of the SAC,SPA] in the matter of impact of the Emerging Preferred Route on the SAC, SPA, as indicated above. This matter extends beyond the remit of responsibility of the national context, as under European legislation, the lower River Shannon SAC, and ,in particular the Poulnasherry Bay extent, collectively are designated protected areas of conservation.

Department of Climate, Energy and the Environment

A list of esubmissions submitted to the Minister for Environment, Climate and Communications through the e-submissions channel. I wish for my request to cover the period from 01-04-2025 - 30-04-2025.

Department of Climate, Energy and the Environment

A copy of any non-papers submitted/circulated by the department to the council of the EU, at working group level or otherwise, between 1st July 2024 and 30th April 2025.

Department of Climate, Energy and the Environment

All correspondence between the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications and the Commission for Communications Regulation, from 01/01/24 to present, with respect to broadband and mobile phone service providers using a pricing model where annual price rises are linked to the rate of inflation.

Department of Climate, Energy and the Environment

The number of internal transfers to or from the Department, along with the relevant grades, that have taken place since October 2024. Could I please request the geographic locations of each transfer also

Department of Climate, Energy and the Environment

In a recent PQ reply, the minister said that his department was aware of "the challenges around facilitating data centre connections in constrained regions which can lead to grid constraints on the local distribution network impacting other customers’ connections" I am seeking briefing notes, meeting minutes, reports or correspondence relating to the Department’s knowledge of housing not being connected to the energy grid due to data centres using capacity, covering the last two years.

Department of Climate, Energy and the Environment

All minutes/memos/reports and correspondence in the two weeks prior and the month after this meeting provided/sent to the minster/his advisers/sec gen in relation to these meetings: https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/question/2025-04-10/33/#pq_33

Department of Climate, Energy and the Environment

...any engagement between Department officials, the Minister, and representatives from the tobacco and/or e-cigarette industry in 2023, 2024, and to date for 2025. We would like to secure copies of all files, including consultation notes, correspondences, minutes, etc, relating to any meetings with representatives from the tobacco and/or e-cigarette industry.

Department of Climate, Energy and the Environment

All internal departmental correspondence (from the period 01 January 2025 to 17 March 2025) received by Darragh O’Brien, minister for climate, environment and energy and minister for transport, about a St Patrick’s Day 2025 trip to Miami and Los Angeles. = All briefing material prepared for Darragh O’Brien, minister for climate, environment and energy and minister for transport, about a St Patrick’s Day 2025 trip to Miami and Los Angeles.

Department of Climate, Energy and the Environment

I am seeking records in relation to the meeting between the Minister for the Environment, Darragh O'Brien and CEO of RWE Offshore Wind, Sven Utermöhlen. The meeting took place between March 21, 2025 and April 1, 2025. This should include, but is not limited to, records of any meeting minutes, meeting notes, a list of attendees, briefing material, associated reports, presentations and correspondence shared and/or referenced at the meeting.

Department of Climate, Energy and the Environment

On 4 April 2025 Ireland publicly endorsed the The Pall Mall Process Code of Practice for States https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/the-pall-mall-process-code-of-practice-for- states/the-pall-mall-process-code-of-practice-for-states. This is a request under the Freedom of Information Act 2014 for all records relating to involvement in that process. For some context, this was previously addressed in a parliamentary question: https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/question/2024-06-27/101/

Department of Climate, Energy and the Environment

Copy of submissions made by the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications or the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications to the review carried out Senior Posts Remunerations Committee at the request of the Minister for Public Expenditure into the remuneration of chief executives in commercial State bodies. The review of the SPRC group was published by the Government on 29thApril 2025.

Department of Climate, Energy and the Environment

All meeting minutes or correspondence from 01/01/2023 to current, which refer to any of the following issues at An Post. 1. Restructuring staff, reshuffling staff or changing of routes 2. Delays in delivering post 3. Missing post 4. Post delivered to the wrong address

Department of Climate, Energy and the Environment

A copy of reports on/summary documents/minutes or notes of meetings between Minister Patrick O’Donovan and the CEOs and senior managers of mobile phone and broadband operators as well as representatives from Telecommunications Industry Ireland (TII) last February to discuss the impact of Storm Éowyn on telecommunications infrastructure and other related issues. A copy of all briefing documents regarding same prepared for the Minister in advance of those meetings.

Department of Climate, Energy and the Environment

I am seeking a list of esubmissions submitted to the Minister for Environment, Climate and Communications through the e-submissions channel. I wish for my request to cover the period from 01-03-2025 - 31-03-2025.

Department of Climate, Energy and the Environment

A copy of Minister Darragh O'Brien's engagements diary. The time period can be limited to 23/1/2025 and 1/4/2025.

Department of Climate, Energy and the Environment

I was in Cork City on the 24th Mar 2025 and saw what I believe to be Solar Geo Engineering. See attached pictures. These pictures correspond with ones I have seen from other countries where this is being carried out. I have also seen similar formations in Co. Waterford and Tipperary. I would like to know if this has been authorised by the government, can you confirm if this is the case and who has authorised it. Can you please provide me with the details of what particulates are being sprayed into our atmosphere, who is paying for this and what companies are involved.

Department of Climate, Energy and the Environment

I am seeking copies of the following esubmissions and associated documents: - Letter of Resignation from the Boards of NORA & INPC - Briefing on IEA Analysis of Ireland’s Energy Security under Transitions towards 2035 - ComReg Advanced NIS 2 Directive Staffing Salary Correction - Decarbonised Electricity System Study Phase 1 Results

Department of Climate, Energy and the Environment

Please can you provide me with the total number of Dept. Of Environment, Climate, and Communication staff in receipt of the Keyholder Allowance, broken down by each grade (General Operatives / Clerical Officers / Executive Officers, etc.)

Department of Climate, Energy and the Environment

As part of a project air quality in Ireland I am involved with, I have become aware that the Dept. of the Environment , Climate and Communications has in October or November of 2024 written to certain so retailers as to the results of sulphur testing carried out under the above legislation in various parts of Ireland. Having seen one of these communications it stated the following- “As part of the implementation and enforcement of the new solid fuel regulations the Dept. of the Environment, Climate and Communications has organised a national sulphur testing programme. Through the programme 150 samples of coal based products were taken from retailers across the country during the summer of 2024 and were tested for compliance with the sulphur limits as set out in the solid fuel regulations. These accredited tests have raised significant concerns around compliance with the sulphur requirements of the regulations which are stated in Regulation 5(4)a as: (4) Coal products and manufactured solid fuels , including manufactured part biomass products must have a sulphur content- (a) less than 2% by weight on a dry ash-free basis” These communications were signed by Dr. Irene Cadogan, Assistant Principal Officer, Air Quality Unit. I wish to submit a Freedom of Information request to see the results of these 150 tests detailing in all cases, the following information contained in the said communications- 1/Product Name 2/Sampling Result 3/Producer Name

Department of Climate, Energy and the Environment

To ascertain if geoengineering is taking place in Ireland, who is involved and what types are being used.

Department of Climate, Energy and the Environment

1. Any correspondence, and attachments -- between Department officials and clothes brands/manufacturers/retailers '-- that relate to the idea of an "extended producer responsibility" scheme for used textiles and clothing. I would like any records from 1 January 2023 to present.

Department of Climate, Energy and the Environment

In regards to the activity and decision making of the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications. 1. What Geonengineering activity is taking place or has taken place over the island of Ireland and its skies/aerospace. -This may include but is not limited to any of the following: SRM, Precipitation management, Carbon Dioxide Removal, Aerosol spraying in and over Irish airspace. 2. What grants/funding have been received to allow Irish air, land, space and resources to be used for these practices? 3. How much does the Irish taxpayer contribute to this? 4. Who are the main contributors to the funding? 5. What is the name of the man/woman who has the final authority on these decisions in the Irish Government.

Department of Climate, Energy and the Environment

I would like records relating to the costing of the proposed state-led strategic gas emergency reserve.