Renewable Gas Forum-Irish Green Gas Limited

Lobbying Organisation Renewable Gas Forum-Irish Green Gas Limited

Date published 21 Sep, 2017

Relevant Matter Matters involving public funds

Public Policy Area Finance

Period 1 May, 2017 to 31 Aug, 2017

Specific Details Outlining the opportunities in the biogas industry to provide value for money, improve competitiveness, sustainability, secure future inward investment by FDI's and future proof our large export markets in the agri- food, beverages, biopharma, biomedical and other sectors. The value for money in supporting the biogas industry will help develop a robust bioeconomy and circular economy, and reduce the potential fines for missing the 2020 targets in RES-H and RES-T, it is in the national interest

Intended results Promoting value for money to the Irish tax payer, the RGFI represents the biogas industry in Ireland and is an advocacy for the large gas (heat) consumers in manufacturing, processing, transport sectors, who are actively seeking alternative low carbon fuel of renewable gas in order to decarbonise their industries activities. This is the most competitive and low cost solution to switch to renewable technology, as these companies are already using natural gas for their primary energy needs.

Name of person primarily responsible for lobbying on this activity PJ McCarthy, Chair of Renewable Gas Forum Ireland (RGFI)

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.

Meeting (1)

Met with Minister Patrick O'Donovan, at his constituency office in Newcastlewest, Co. Limerick. We discussed and outlined that the RGFI is an industry forum and advocacy for large gas consumers in the manufacturing and processing sectors of the agri-food, beverages and biopahrma industries. The RGFI presented the potential to develop an indigenous industry in Ireland, to benefit the decarbonisation of the agri-food and other sectors that account for a large export market. It is essential to the FDI's as part of their CSR policy to be Carbon Neutral by 2030, and secure their market share by reassuring their consumers that Climate Change Policy is front and center in the manufacturing and processing of consumable products. The implications for not supporting the biogas/biomethane industry would be that future investment by FDI's will be unlikely due to lack of competitiveness and sustainability in their Irish operations. Environmental benefits are clean air,better soil & water quality

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.

Patrick O'Donovan TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Patrick O'Donovan Minister of State (Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport)