Friends of the Earth

Lobbying Organisation Friends of the Earth

Date published 20 Jan, 2020

Relevant Matter Public policy or programme

Public Policy Area Energy and Natural Resources

Period 1 Sep, 2019 to 31 Dec, 2019

Specific Details Policy related to Solar PV panels on schools

Intended results To include schools in planning permission exemptions for solar panel installations To allow schools (and all small scale renewable generators) to get paid for electricity exported to the grid from solar panels installations

Name of person primarily responsible for lobbying on this activity Kate Ruddock

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?) No

Did you manage or direct a grassroots campaign? No

Was this lobbying done on behalf of a client? No

Lobbying activity

The following activities occurred for this specific Subject Matter Area.

Email (1)

Emails to all TD's to highlight barriers to solar panel installations on schools, particular planning permission restrictions and inability to sell generated power.

Event / Reception (1)

Event with TD's and Ministers launching Friends of the Earth's Solar Schools competition 2020, highlighting barriers to solar power for schools.

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.

Seán Kyne Minister of State (Department of Environment, Climate and Communications)

Joe McHugh Minister (Department of Education and Skills)

Mary Mitchell O’Connor Minister of State (Department of Education and Skills)

Éamon Ó Cuív TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Brian Stanley TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Eoghan Murphy TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)