Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources

From Infogalactic: the planetary knowledge core
Jump to: navigation, search
Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources
Alex White TD 2014 (cropped).jpg
Incumbent
Alex White

since 11 July 2014
Appointer President of Ireland on the nomination of the Taoiseach
Inaugural holder Seán Etchingham as Director of Fisheries
Formation 26 August 1921
Website www.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 Alex White, TD. He is assisted by:

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 Term of office Party
1. Seán Etchingham 2 April 1919 26 August 1921 Sinn Féin

Secretary for Fisheries 1921–1922

No. Name Term of office Party
Seán Etchingham 26 August 1921 9 January 1922 Sinn Féin

Minister for Fisheries 1922–1930

No. Name Term of office Party
2. Fionán Lynch 14 December 1922 3 April 1930 Cumann na nGaedheal

Minister for Lands and Fisheries 1930–1937

No. Name Term of 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 Term of 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 Term of 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 Term of 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 Term of 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 Term of 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[1] 12 January 1993 15 December 1994 Fianna Fáil
24. Hugh Coveney[1] 15 December 1994 23 May 1995 Fine Gael
25. Seán Barrett[1] 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 Term of 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 Term of 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 Term of 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 11 July 2014 Labour Party
32. Alex White 11 July 2014 Incumbent Labour Party

See also

References

  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 As Minister for Defence and the Marine.

External links