Organisation information
Natural Resources and Waste Policy Section
From Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications
Published on
Last updated on
From Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications
Published on
Last updated on
The objective of the Natural Resources and Waste Policy section is to sustainably exploit and manage Ireland’s inland fisheries, geological resources and oil and gas reserves. The sector makes a significant contribution to the Irish economy by employing approximately 30,000 people and contributing circa 3.0% of Ireland’s Gross National Product.
Ireland has over 77,000 kilometres of freshwater rivers and streams and a quarter of a million hectares of lakes, therefore inland fisheries are a substantial natural resource. The Department oversees the protection, management and development of these inland fisheries.
Mining is of particular importance in Ireland, especially for the metal known as zinc. Ireland is Europe’s largest producer of zinc and one of the top 10 producers of zinc worldwide. 40% of Ireland’s land area is currently under mining exploration authorisations. The Department is constantly advancing Ireland’s geoscience knowledge through the work of the Geological Survey of Ireland (GSI).
Hydrocarbon is an energy source that is created when carbon and hydrogen, provided by decomposed organic matter, bonds together. It is found naturally occurring on Earth, usually in the form of crude oil, and can be extracted and processed to be used as a combustible fuel source. Hydrocarbons can be processed into different forms, e.g. petroleum, methane, paraffins, bitumen and benzene. They can also be used as the raw materials for certain dyes, pesticides, plastics and other products.
The Department actively encourages exploration and development of commercial hydrocarbon discoveries. While success in finding offshore deposits has been modest, there have been successes such as the deposits off Kinsale and the Corrib field, which will contribute over 40% of the island’s gas needs in its early years of production.