SEAI and the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications represent Ireland on IEA Standing Groups and Committees. In addition to the Governing Board, the IEA has several Standing Committees that are made up of member country government officials.

Committee on Energy Research & Technology (CERT)

The CERT co-ordinates and promotes the development, demonstration and deployment of technologies to meet challenges in the energy sector. The CERT has established four working parties:

  1. Working Party on Renewable Energy Technologies (REWP)
  2. Working Party on Energy End-Use Technologies (EUWP)
  3. Working Party on Fossil Energy (WPFF)
  4. Fusion Power Co-ordinating Committee (FPCC)

The CERT and REWP Representative for Ireland is Dr. Phil Hemmingway (SEAI).

Phil Hemmingway

Head of the Research & Technology Department

Dr Phil Hemmingway is a member of the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) Senior Management Team, and Head of the SEAI Low Carbon Technologies Department. He is jointly responsible for a range of research & innovation, behavioural economics, modelling, statistics and technology innovation activities in support of SEAI’s vision for Ireland’s energy to be sustainable, secure, affordable and clean. Phil is Ireland’s representative on the following:

  • Europe’s Strategic Energy Technology Plan (SETPlan)
  • Ireland’s representative on the International Energy Agency’s Committee on Energy Research & Technology (CERT)
  • Ireland’s Technology Delegate to the UNFCCC and Ireland’s National Delegate for the European Commission’s Horizon 2020 Energy Programme Committee.
  • Ireland’s SEAI Climate Action High Level Steering Group
  • SEAI Innovation 2020 Steering Group
  • Horizon 2020 High Level Group

Prior to joining SEAI, Phil held positions at Science Foundation Ireland where he was responsible for development & governance of multi-million Euro R&D investment programmes and leadership of SFI energy, engineering & environment activities. He was also a Lecturer in the School of Biosystems Engineering (UCD), and RPS Group as an energy consultant/design engineer. Phil is a Chartered Engineer and holds Bachelors (engineering) & Doctoral (energy) degrees from UCD.

Other Committees

Standing Group on Long Term Cooperation (SLT)

The SLT encourages co-operation among IEA member countries to ensure collective energy security, improve economic efficiency of their energy sector and promote environmental protection in provision of energy services. The SLT has also established the Working Party on Energy Efficiency.

The SLT Representative for Ireland is Mr. Martin Finucane (The Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications).

Standing Group on Emergency Questions (SEQ)

The SEQ is responsible for all aspects of oil emergency preparedness and collective response to supply disruptions.

The SEQ Representative for Ireland is Mr. Michael Goodwin (The Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications).

Committee on Budgets & Expenditure (CBE)

The CBE advises the Governing Board on resource management and administration. In particular, it advises the Governing Board on budget matters.

Standing Group on the Oil Market (SOM)

The Standing Group on the Oil Market (SOM) monitors and analyses short- and medium-term developments in the international oil market to help member countries react promptly and effectively market changes.

Standing Group on Global Energy Dialogue (SGD)

The SGD is responsible for work with countries and regions outside of the IEA membership, including China and India. Many SGD projects draw upon both regional and sectoral expertise and are carried out jointly with other IEA divisions.

IEA Structure

The IEA is an autonomous inter-governmental organisation within the OECD framework, headed by its Executive Director. Learn more about the IEA structure.

IEA structure