Gas Networks Ireland (Gas Networks Ireland)

Lobbying Organisation Gas Networks Ireland

Date published 20 Jan, 2023

Relevant Matter Public policy or programme

Public Policy Area Energy and Natural Resources

Period 1 Sep, 2022 to 31 Dec, 2022

Specific Details 1. Discussions on Gas Networks Ireland’s ambition to introduce more biomethane into national gas network 2. Security of Supply. 3. Energy Transition (SEAI net-zero study, actions in support of the climate action plan, network preparedness for Hydrogen. 4) Obligations of GNI under the Climate Act.

Intended results Progress on a biomethane policy to provide a roadmap for producers and/or biomethane support mechanisms. Support for Biomethane, Strategic Storage and Hydrogen policy. An understanding of the need for investment in Gas Security of Supply and an understanding of how a Strategic Onshore Gas Storage facility would address these risks. Support for GNI proposal in relation to a Strategic Onshore Gas Storage facility as optimum approach to address energy security of supply concerns.

Name of person primarily responsible for lobbying on this activity Jennifer Harte, Edwina Nyhan, David Kelly, Denis O'Sullivan, Padraig Fleming, Cathal Marley, Bobby Gleeson, Karen Doyle

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)

Joanne Lonergan (Former DPO) Special Advisor (Department of Education and Skills)

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)

A request by Gas Networks Ireland for a meeting with Senator Lynn Boylan, Sinn Fein Senator from Dublin to provide an update on the opportunity for the agricultural sector to develop a biomethane industry in Ireland to support emission reduction for both agriculture and energy sectors. The meeting was held on 8th of September in Leinster House and was attended by Jennifer Harte and David Kelly.

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 opportunity for the agricultural sector to develop a biomethane industry in Ireland to support emission reduction for both agriculture and energy sectors. The meeting was held on 14th of September, via zoom and was attended by Jennifer Harte.

Meeting (1)

A request by Gas Networks Ireland for a meeting with Minister Heather Humphries Fine Gael TD for Cavan-Monaghan, to provide an update on the opportunity for the agricultural sector to develop a biomethane industry in Ireland to support emission reduction for both agriculture and energy sectors. The meeting was held on 15th of September in the offices of Department of Community and Rural Affairs and was attended by Jennifer Harte and Edwina Nyhan from GNI and GNI and Minister Heather Humphries, Fintan O’Brien Assistant Secretary.

Meeting (1)

A request by Gas Networks Ireland for a meeting with Deputy Jennifer Whitmore, Social Democrats TD for Wicklow, to provide an update on the opportunity for the agricultural sector to develop a biomethane industry in Ireland to support emission reduction for both agriculture and energy sectors. The meeting was held on 19th of September in Deputy Whitmore’s constituency office in Greystone, Co Wicklow and was attended by Jennifer Harte and Edwina Nyhan.

Meeting (1)

A request by Minister Eamon Ryan for a meeting with GNI on 4th of October, to provide an update on 1) Security of Supply - actions GNI could take to support Security of Supply 2) Connection of data centres to gas grid 3) Energy Transition (SEAI net-zero study, actions in support of the climate action plan, network preparedness for Hydrogen, update on Biomethane) 4) Obligations of GNI under the Climate Act. Attendees included Cathal Marley, Denis O’Sullivan, David Kelly and Edwina Nyhan from GNI. Attendees from DECC included Minister Eamon Ryan, Paul Kenny Special Advisor, Noel Regan Principal Officer, Kevin Brady Principal Officer, Tony Collins Principal Officer, John Finnegan Principal Officer and an assistant Principal officer.

Virtual Meeting (1)

A request by Gas Networks Ireland for a meeting with policy Advisor to Minister for Agriculture, Patrick Donohue, to provide an update on the opportunity for the agricultural sector to develop a biomethane industry in Ireland to support emission reduction for both agriculture and energy sectors. The meeting was held on 25th of October via zoom and was attended by Jennifer Harte and Padraig Fleming.

Meeting (1)

A request by Gas Networks Ireland for a meeting with Matthew Lynch, Tánaiste’s special advisor and representative of the Department of Enterprise Trade and Employment to provide an update on the opportunity for the agricultural sector to develop a biomethane industry in Ireland to support emission reduction for both agriculture and energy sectors. The meeting was held on 18th of November via zoom and was attended by Jennifer Harte and Edwina Nyhan from GNI and Joseph Cummins, Principal Officer Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Alan Dempsey, Assistant Principal, Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment and Matthew Lynch, special advisor to the Tanaiste Leo Varadkar.

Meeting (1)

A request by Gas Networks Ireland for a meeting with Minister Martin Heydon, Fine Gael TD for Kildare South, to provide an update on the opportunity for the agricultural sector to develop a biomethane industry in Ireland to support emission reduction for both agriculture and energy sectors. The meeting was held on 25th of November in the Heritage Hotel, Co Laois. and was attended by Jennifer Harte and Padraig Fleming.

Meeting (1)

A request by Gas Networks Ireland for a meeting with Deputy Barry Cowen, Fianna Fail TD for Laois-Offaly, to provide an update on the opportunity for the agricultural sector to develop a biomethane industry in Ireland to support emission reduction for both agriculture and energy sectors. The meeting was held on 6th of December in Leinster House and was attended by Jennifer Harte and Padraig Fleming.

Meeting (1)

A request by Gas Networks Ireland for a meeting with Deputy Matt Carthy, Sinn Fein TD for Cavan-Monaghan, to provide an update on the opportunity for the agricultural sector to develop a biomethane industry in Ireland to support emission reduction for both agriculture and energy sectors. The meeting was held on 7th of December in Leinster House and was attended by Jennifer Harte and Karen Doyle.

Meeting (1)

A request by Gas Networks Ireland for a meeting with Deputy Jackie Cahill, Fianna Fail TD for Tipperary, to provide an update on the opportunity for the agricultural sector to develop a biomethane industry in Ireland to support emission reduction for both agriculture and energy sectors. The meeting was held on 14th of December in Leinster House and was attended by Jennifer Harte and Padraig Fleming.

Meeting (1)

A request by Gas Networks Ireland for a meeting with Deputy Darren O’Rourke, Sinn Fein TD for Meath East, to provide an update on the opportunity for the agricultural sector to develop a biomethane industry in Ireland to support emission reduction for both agriculture and energy sectors. The meeting was held on 14th of December in Leinster House and was attended by Jennifer Harte and David Kelly.

Meeting (1)

Gas Networks Ireland Presentation on gas demand projections and security of supply risks, along with summary of scope and benefits of a Strategic Onshore Gas Storage facility to Paul Bolger, Assistant Secretary General, DEEC at the Depatment of Environment, Climate and Communications, Adelaide Road, Dublin 2. Attendees from GNI included Denis O’Sullivan and Bobby Gleeson.

Email (1)

Gas Networks Ireland commercial proposal to deliver a Strategic Onshore Gas Storage project. Proposal sent by Bobby Gleeson via e-mail on 21st December 2022 to Paul Bolger, Assistant Secretary, DECC. Meeting arranged with DECC on 10th January 2023. Attendees from DECC Paul Bolger, Noel Regan. Attendees from GNI Denis O’Sullivan, Ronan Galwey and Bobby Gleeson.

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.

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

Lynn Boylan Senator (Seanad)

Heather Humphreys Minister (Department of Rural and Community Development)

Fintan O'Brien Assistant Secretary (Department of Rural and Community Development)

Jennifer Whitmore TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Eamon Ryan Minister (Department of Environment, Climate and Communications)

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

Patrick Donohoe Special Adviser (Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine)

Matthew Lynch Special Adviser (Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment)

Martin Heydon Minister of State (Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine)

Barry Cowen TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Matt Carthy TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Jackie Cahill TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Darren O'Rourke TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Paul Bolger Assistant Secretary (Department of Environment, Climate and Communications)