Policy
Natural Resources
Published on: 12 June 2020
From Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications
Published on: 12 June 2020
From Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications
Ireland’s natural resources are essential to our quality of life. Development and use of our inland fisheries, minerals, energy sources, and other geological resources help to drive the national economy, provide employment and bring social benefits. As the economy continues to grow, the use of these resources will continue to underpin our standard of living.
The government is responsible for licencing, regulating and promoting mineral, oil and gas exploration and production, as well as management of our national fisheries, while ensuring that impact on the environment is minimised.
The government’s aim in this area is therefore to ensure that that these resources are utilised and developed in a way that is responsible, productive and sustainable for future generations.
The sustainable development of these resources is informed by high quality and reliable geological knowledge and advice through the Geological Survey of Ireland (GSI) and its programmes such as INFOMAR and TELLUS.
High quality data and reliable geoscience support and advice are crucial for the sustainable development of:
Geological Survey Ireland (GSI) is the national Earth science agency that acts as a knowledge centre and a project partner in all aspects of Irish geology.
It also hosts the Geoscience Ireland business cluster and coordinates and supports geoscience research and outreach activities in Ireland.
Through the promotion of mineral exploration in Ireland, the government can maximise the mining sector's contribution to the economy. With the necessary regulation and policies, it can also ensure that social and environmental impacts are minimised.
Exploration and mining activities are carried out by the private sector under licences issued by the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications.
There are separate processes for Prospecting (Mineral Exploration) Licences and State Mining Facilities. Stone quarries, sand, gravel, clay and aggregates are not licensed by the Minister, with some exceptions.
The government's main strategic objectives include:
Read more about Minerals
Fish stocks are a national asset which must be conserved, protected and used fairly and sustainably. It is the government’s responsibility to ensure that these resources are managed and developed in a way that protects them from over-exploitation, pollution and habitat degradation.
This happens through regulation and frameworks which maximise the potential of the resource, while making sure that we comply with EU legislation. This is supported by agencies such as Inland Fisheries Ireland and the Loughs Agency and ensures the future sustainability of fish stocks.
Read more about Inland Fisheries
Ireland’s policy for oil and gas exploration and production sits within a broader framework of policies relating to climate action, energy security and the sustainable use of marine resources.
The government’s role is to develop policy, and to licence and regulate oil and gas exploration and production activities, in a way that minimises their environmental impact while also maximising the benefits to the State.
Read more about Oil and Gas Exploration and Production
Ireland's maritime area extends to almost seven times our land mass, one of the largest sea to land ratios of any EU State. This area includes our internal waters, territorial seas, exclusive economic zone (EEZ) and our continental shelf. It covers nearly 500,000 km2 and stretches out to 200 nautical miles in some places. This ocean space is a vast national asset. Developing resources above and below the seabed can have many benefits for Ireland. However, this must be done in a planned way, to protect our rich biodiversity and manage resources. It is the government's role through policy, planning and legislation, to ensure the development of Ireland's marine resources is sustainable.
Read more about Marine Planning and Development