Renewable Gas Forum-Irish Green Gas Limited

Lobbying Organisation Renewable Gas Forum-Irish Green Gas Limited

Date published 21 Jan, 2021

Relevant Matter Public policy or programme

Public Policy Area Agriculture

Period 1 Sep, 2020 to 31 Dec, 2020

Specific Details RGFI presented Project Clover, an industry led initiative, to the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, collaboration of agri food industry participants to develop an indigenous AD biomethane industry, setting out the significant benefits to decarbonising agricultural sector, sustainable food production, produce organic fertiliser from digestate, soil carbon sequestration, aligning with the European Green Deal farm to fork strategy, Ag Climatise and national policy programme for Gov't

Intended results Secure commitment from Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine to support this industry led initiative, provide capital funding & policy support to agri based AD biomethane plant with main beneficiaries being farmers, food & drinks industries, sustainable food production, commercial sustainability & competitiveness, biomethane is the only option to decarbonise thermal demand of manufacturing & processing. support the reduction in carbon footprint of food production from farm to fork

Name of person primarily responsible for lobbying on this activity PJ McCarthy

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.

Virtual Meeting (2-5)

The virtual meetings were held due to Covid 19 restrictions, presentation on Project Clover business case to Minister and Senior officials in DAFM with a Q&A session and agreement on the next steps, DAFM assigning senior officials to follow-up with RGFI to progress matters. Commitment from DAFM to work with RGFI on this industry led initiative and support the proposal with policy and capital funding.

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.

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

Brendan Gleeson Secretary General (Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine)

Bill Callanan Chief Inspector (Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine)