Renewable Gas Forum-Irish Green Gas Limited

Lobbying Organisation Renewable Gas Forum-Irish Green Gas Limited

Date published 21 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 Renewable Gas Forum Ireland were mandated by Government to provide a Vertically Integrated Business Case for Biomethane in Ireland addressing the remaining three core constraints for Govt support for biomethane in the National Energy & Climate Plan 2021-2030 being submitted to EU Commission. the three core constraints are 1) Eurostat; 2) Cost of Technology; 3) Who pays. RGFI commissioned KPMG to compile the report which included full cost benefit analysis in compliance with Public Spending Code

Intended results The RGFI/KPMG Vertically Integrated Business case for Biomethane in Ireland is a policy document to secure the inclusion of biomethane in the National Energy & Climate Plan 2021-2030 with a meaningful target of 12% biomethane with significant economic and environmental benefits. The KMPG Integrated Business Case provides for a claer pathway for the support & development of an indigenous biomethane industry in Ireland developing a circular & bioeconomy providing competitiveness & sustainability

Name of person primarily responsible for lobbying on this activity PJ McCarthy

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.

Event / Reception (2-5)

The Renewable Gas Forum Ireland held a Press Release on the 21st October 2019 to launch the RGFI/KPMG Vertically Integrated Business Case for Biomethane in Ireland, and on the following day 22nd Oct. 2019, a full presentation made to 300 plus attendees at the Gas Forum 2019 at the Gibson Hotel. RGFI invited members of the Joint Oireachtas on Climate Change to the Press Release and launch of the RGFI/KPMG Vertically Integrated Business Case for Biomethane in Ireland. Minister Creed was invited and attended the press release, disappointly Minister Bruton declined our invitation to attend the press release, however he was keynote speaker at the Gas Forum event on the 22nd Oct.2019

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.

Michael Creed Minister (Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine)

Jonathan Hoare Special Adviser (Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine)

Paul Savage Assistant Secretary (Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine)

Bill Callanan Chief Inspector (Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine)

Brendan Gleeson Secretary General (Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine)

Richard Bruton Minister (Department of Environment, Climate and Communications)

Charlie McConalogue TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Pippa Hackett Senator (Seanad)

Jackie Cahill TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)