Gas Networks Ireland (Gas Networks Ireland)

Lobbying Organisation Gas Networks Ireland

Date published 21 Sep, 2022

Relevant Matter Public policy or programme

Public Policy Area Energy and Natural Resources

Period 1 May, 2022 to 31 Aug, 2022

Specific Details Biomethane Policy & Support Mechanisms

Intended results Progress on a biomethane policy to provide a roadmap for producers and/or biomethane support mechanisms.

Name of person primarily responsible for lobbying on this activity Jennifer Harte - Head of Public Affairs, Padraig Fleming - Biomethane programme manager, Declan O Sullivan – Programme Delivery Manager, Gas Networks Ireland.

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 (2-5)

Biomethane Briefing note – Sent an email with an explanation of the capability of biomethane. This email was sent to Matt Collins (DECC), Paul Kenny (DECC), Eamon O’Cuiv (Finna Fail) and Brian Leddin (Green Party). An additional email was sent to Paul Kenny (DECC) to give clarification about the difference between SEAI and the Devinish/KPMG Study. Padraig was required to make a follow up call to Eamon O’Cuiv to talk him through the document.

Virtual Meeting (1)

Meeting to discuss biomethane and opportunity to present to FG policy group. Padraig Fleming attended a Zoom meeting with Alan Farrell of Fine Gale to discuss the potential of presenting merits of biomethane to FG parliamentary policy group.

Virtual Meeting (1)

A request by Gas Networks Ireland for a meeting with Deputy James O’Connor, Fianna Fail TD for Cork East, to provide an update on the recently announced Central Grid Injection facility in Mitchelstown, Co.Cork and to provide a more general update on the opportunity of producing biomethane in Ireland. The meeting was held on 21st of June via Zoom and was attended by Jennifer Harte, Edwina Nyhan, Yvette Jones from GNI and Deputy James O’Connor TD and his parliamentary assistant Patrick Mulcahy.

Meeting (1)

A request by Gas Networks Ireland for a meeting with Deputy Christopher O’Sullivan, Fianna Fail TD for Cork West to provide an update on GNI’s progress with biomethane, following a dedicated Oireachtas committee on climate action which focused on Anaerobic Digestion from producer and environment perspective. The meeting took place on 12th of July and was attended by Jennifer Harte and Padraig Fleming from GNI and Deputy Christopher O’Sullivan at Leinster House, Dublin 2.

Meeting (1)

A request by Gas Networks Ireland for a meeting with Deputy Alan Farrell, Fine Gael TD for Dublin North, to discuss the opportunities for biomethane to decarbonise the gas network. The meeting took place on 30th of August and was attended by Jennifer Harte from GNI and Deputy Alan Farrell and his parliamentary assistant Jacob Whelan at Leinster House, Dublin 2.

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.

Paul Kenny Special Adviser (Department of Environment, Climate and Communications)

Matthew Collins Assistant Secretary (Department of Environment, Climate and Communications)

Éamon Ó Cuív TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Brian Leddin TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Alan Farrell TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

James O'Connor TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Christopher O'Sullivan TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)