Irish Solar Energy Association

Lobbying Organisation Irish Solar Energy Association

Date published 22 Jan, 2018

Relevant Matter Public policy or programme

Public Policy Area Energy and Natural Resources

Period 1 Sep, 2017 to 31 Dec, 2017

Specific Details the promotion of solar energy in Ireland

Intended results the promotion of solar energy in Ireland

Name of person primarily responsible for lobbying on this activity David Maguire, Chairman of ISEA and Michael McCarthy CEO of ISEA

Did any Designated Public Official(DPO) or former Designated Public Official(DPO) carry out lobbying activities on your behalf in relation to this return? You must include yourself, and answer Yes, if you are a current DPO or a DPO at any time in the past. (What is a Designated Public Official?) Yes

Current or Former Designated Public Official(s)

Michael McCarthy (Former DPO) TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Did you manage or direct a grassroots campaign? No

Was this lobbying done on behalf of a client? No

Mass communications

Email All Local Authority Members on 18th December ISEA sent a planning document to local authorities entitled “ Planning Considerations for the Development of Ground Mounted Solar” compiled by the Irish Solar Energy Association

Lobbying activity

The following activities occurred for this specific Subject Matter Area.

Lobby day (1)

ISEA held a briefing in Leinster House back in October for TDs and Senators on the future of solar energy in Ireland and the need for direct policy support for the sector

Event / Reception (100+)

Eamon Ryan TD participated in a webinar organised by ISEA on the topic of RESS. Also, An Taoiseach Leo Varadkar, Minister Michael Darcy and Alan Kelly TD addressed the ISEA Annual Conference held in November

Meeting (1)

October 16th in the Dept of Public Expenditure and Reform, Merrion Street Meeting with Robert Watt Secretary General to discuss how Solar can help to meet 2020 climate targets and thus avoid EU financial sanctions

Designated public officials lobbied

The following DPOs were lobbied during this return period on this specific Subject Matter Area. These DPOs were involved in at least one of the Lobbying Activities listed above, but not necessarily all of them. As returns are specific to a Subject Matter Area the above Lobbying Activities may be associated with multiple returns.

Robert Watt Secretary General (Department of Public Expenditure and Reform)

Leo Varadkar Taoiseach (Department of the Taoiseach)

Michael W. D'Arcy Minister of State (Department of Finance)

Alan Kelly TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Eamon Ryan TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)