6.—(1) The functions of the Authority shall be—

(a) to promote and assist environmentally and economically sustainable production, supply and use of energy,

(b) to promote and assist energy efficiency and renewable sources of energy,

(c) to promote and assist the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions and transboundary air pollutants associated with the production, supply and use of energy,

(d) to promote and assist the minimising of the impact on the environment of the production, supply and use of energy,

(e) to promote and assist research, development and demonstration of technologies connected with the foregoing paragraphs of this subsection,

(f) to provide advice, information and guidance—

(i) to the Minister and such other Ministers or bodies as the Minister may direct, and

(ii) to energy suppliers and users,

relating to the matters specified in the foregoing paragraphs of this F1[subsection,]

F2[(g) to design and establish frameworks under and in accordance with Regulations 5 and 9 of the European Union (Renewable Energy) Regulations 2022 ( S.I. No. 76 of 2022 ) and to provide assistance to the Commission for Regulation of Utilities in accordance with Regulation 5(4) of those Regulations.]

(2) The Authority shall have all such powers as are necessary for or are incidental to the performance of its functions under this Act, including—

(a) co-operating with the Central Statistics Office and acting as an agent of that Office in relation to matters related to the functions of the Authority,

(b) the compilation, extraction and dissemination of information and projections relating to energy production and use (including implications relating to the sourcing, transformation, transmission, distribution and emissions thereof),

(c) the licensing, regulation and control of activities related to the functions where directed by the Minister from time to time,

(d) the initiation, development, administration, participation in and promotion of schemes and programmes of action,

(e) the promotion of and assistance with participation in international programmes,

(f) the provision of assistance in the co-ordination of activities carried out in the State related to sustainable energy,

(g) the assessment of energy technologies and markets for the purpose of promoting best practice,

(h) encouraging the establishment and development of companies involved in the provision of services,

(i) the exchange of information with organisations outside the State and participation in international activities,

(j) representation of a Minister of the Government at meetings of international bodies where requested to do so by the Minister,

in connection with the matters referred to in subsection (1).

(3) The Authority may perform any of its functions through or by a member of its staff duly authorised by the Authority in that behalf.

(4) The Authority shall have all such powers as are necessary for or are incidental to the performance of its functions under this Act.