Minister Ryan announces appointment of new Secretary General at the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications
The Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications, Eamon Ryan TD, has announced that at its meeting today (Tuesday, 20th June), the Government approved the appointment of Ms. Oonagh Buckley as Secretary General of the Department.
Oonagh is currently serving as Interim Chair of An Bord Pleanála. Prior to taking up that role, Oonagh was Deputy Secretary General in the Department of Justice with responsibility for civil law, which includes immigration, courts and legislation. Oonagh had previously held the position of Director General in the Workplace Relations Commission and before that she worked in the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform, as well as in the Department of the Environment and Department of Foreign Affairs. In her time in the Department of the Environment, she worked for a number of years on planning policy and legislation and on wildlife conservation.
Ms Buckley is a graduate of UCC, the College of Europe and University of London. She was called to the Bar in 1996. She has an MSc in Business from the Smurfit School in UCD and has been an adjunct professor in the School of Law of UCC since 2017.
Minister Ryan said:
“I am delighted to welcome the appointment of Oonagh Buckley to the role of Secretary General at the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications.
“The Department plays a key role in Ireland’s long term environmental, economic and social development. As Secretary General of the Department, Oonagh will have a critical role to play in delivering our vision of a climate neutral, sustainable and digitally connected Ireland. I wish her every success in the role and look forward to working with her.
“I would like to take this opportunity to also acknowledge the significant contribution of the outgoing Secretary General, Mark Griffin. I have greatly appreciated Mark’s advice and support in my time as Minister.”
Ms Buckley will take up her appointment on 2nd September when Mr. Griffin completes his term.
