Overwatch Report

Irish Heritage Trust

May–August

[Tourism] Admission charges to OPW sites to be waived in 2021

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Michael McGrath', 'role': 'Minister (Department of Public Expenditure and Reform)'}

National Adult Literacy Agency

May–August

[Education and Training] Adult Literacy - New 10-year adult literacy, numeracy and digital literacy strategy

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Deirdre Duffy', 'role': 'Special Adviser (Department of Further and Higher Education, Innovation and Science)'}

BA Corperate Management Strategy Limited

on behalf of Yes (client not named)

May–August

[Economic Development and Industry] COVID-19 engagement regarding guidance, insights, supports, knowledge sharing and meetings sought for the safe return of organised and ticketed events. Implementation of supports to help protect, hold sector upright and together, allowing it to survive, until such time as organised and ticketed live entertainment events can return to full capacity safely.

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Paschal Donohoe', 'role': 'Minister (Department of Finance)'} {'name': 'Michael McGrath', 'role': 'Minister (Department of Public Expenditure and Reform)'} {'name': 'Leo Varadkar', 'role': 'An Tánaiste (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Micheál Martin', 'role': 'An Taoiseach (Department of the Taoiseach)'} {'name': 'Tanya Warren', 'role': 'Special Adviser (Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media)'} {'name': 'Eamon Ryan', 'role': 'Minister (Department of Environment, Climate and Communications)'} + 8 more

Cavanagh Communications

on behalf of Yes (client not named)

May–August

[Communications] 31/5/21 – Irish Postmasters' Union: Issue of news release ‘Postmasters call crisis meetings to discuss work stoppages as unrestrained closures imminent ’ to all TDs and Senators.

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Email All Oireachtas Members', 'role': 'News release emailed to all Oireachtas members as an FYI.'}

Ibec

September–December

[Economic Development and Industry] Engagement on business priorities for the Dublin & Mid-East region

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Réada Cronin', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Damien English', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'James Lawless', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Catherine Murphy', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Cathal Berry', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Martin Heydon', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} + 46 more

Irish Sudden Infant Death Association

May–August

[Health] Request for grant support to FirstLight to enable the organisation provide professional counselling and therapeutic support services to families in Ireland experiencing the sudden unexpected death of their children, in circumstances where the organisation provides these services free to bereaved families, where there are very limited State agency supports for such families, and where the HSE provides relatively small amounts of grant support to FirstLight.

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Mary Butler', 'role': 'Minister of State (Department of Health)'}

Colm McCourt

May–August

[Development and Zoning] Dundalk Stadium Retirement Village

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Conor Keelan (Former DPO)', 'role': 'Councillor (Louth County council)'} {'name': 'John Reilly (Former DPO)', 'role': 'Councillor (Louth County council)'} {'name': 'Pio Smith (Former DPO)', 'role': 'Councillor (Louth County council)'} {'name': 'Pearse McGeough (Former DPO)', 'role': 'Councillor (Louth County council)'} {'name': 'Paula Butterly (Former DPO)', 'role': 'Councillor (Louth County council)'} {'name': 'Email All Councillors', 'role': 'Submission made (July) to the county development plan regards Dundalk Stadium Retirement Village'}

The Irish Farmers' Association - IFA

May–August

[EU Affairs] Cage Age Initiative

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Barry Andrews', 'role': 'MEP (European Parliament)'} {'name': 'Billy Kelleher', 'role': 'MEP (European Parliament)'} {'name': 'Chris MacManus', 'role': 'MEP (European Parliament)'} {'name': 'Ciarán Cuffe', 'role': 'MEP (European Parliament)'} {'name': 'Clare Daly', 'role': 'MEP (European Parliament)'} {'name': 'Colm Markey', 'role': 'MEP (European Parliament)'} + 7 more

The Irish Farmers' Association - IFA

May–August

[Environment] Committee Stage – Seanad Eireann – Climate Action & Low Carbon Development (Amendment) Bill 2021

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Timmy Dooley', 'role': 'Senator (Seanad)'} {'name': 'Paul Daly', 'role': 'Senator (Seanad)'} {'name': 'Tim Lombard', 'role': 'Senator (Seanad)'} {'name': 'Regina Doherty', 'role': 'Senator (Seanad)'} {'name': 'Aidan Davitt', 'role': 'Senator (Seanad)'} {'name': 'Aisling Dolan', 'role': 'Senator (Seanad)'} + 105 more

The Irish Farmers' Association - IFA

May–August

[Environment] Environment Protection Agency (EPA) Water Quality Report

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Martin Browne', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Jackie Cahill', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Matt Carthy', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Michael Collins', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Michael Fitzmaurice', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Joe Flaherty', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} + 21 more

The Irish Farmers' Association - IFA

May–August

[Heritage] Insurance Indemnification for Hill Farmers

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Martin Browne', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Jackie Cahill', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Matt Carthy', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Michael Collins', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Michael Fitzmaurice', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Joe Flaherty', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} + 22 more

Capita Customer Solutions

May–August

[Social Protection] Market Engagement on Job Path Programme.

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Niall Egan', 'role': 'Assistant Secretary (Department of Social Protection)'}

Muscular Dystrophy Society of Ireland GLC

May–August

[Budgetary matters] Sent Muscular Dystrophy Ireland's Pre-Budget 2022 Submission to key government ministers and leaders of opposition. Key asks include: increase funding for Personal Assistance; increase core social welfare rates affecting people with MD and their carers; extend medical card eligibility for children aged 16 years and over who have MD; increase funding for housing/accommodation and supports for disabled people; invest in neurology services; update and implement National Rare Dis

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Stephen Donnelly', 'role': 'Minister (Department of Health)'} {'name': 'Micheál Martin', 'role': 'An Taoiseach (Department of the Taoiseach)'} {'name': 'Leo Varadkar', 'role': 'An Tánaiste (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Simon Harris', 'role': 'Minister (Department of Further and Higher Education, Innovation and Science)'} {'name': 'Paschal Donohoe', 'role': 'Minister (Department of Finance)'} {'name': 'Michael McGrath', 'role': 'Minister (Department of Public Expenditure and Reform)'} + 12 more

Herr Ltd

May–August

[Food] The need to protect and enrich the organic matter in Irish soils. The absence of earth worms in soil because of mismanagement of current farming practices. The impact on farming due to increasing prices for imported phosphorus based fertilisers over the coming 4 to 6 decades. The need for Ireland to recycle phosphorus in order to avoid economic difficulties on farms that rely on the use of mineral and synthetic fertilisers.

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Pippa Hackett', 'role': 'Super Junior Minister (Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine)'}

Irish Wildlife Trust CLG.

May–August

[Environment] Management of the marine environment

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': "Christopher O'Sullivan", 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'}

Irish Wildlife Trust CLG.

May–August

[Environment] Reform of the Arterial Drainage Act

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': "Patrick O'Donovan", 'role': 'Minister of State (Department of Public Expenditure and Reform)'}

The Alternative Investment Management Association Limited

May–August

[EU Affairs] AIFMD Review, ELTIF Review, loan funds

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Michael J. McGrath', 'role': 'Assistant Secretary (Department of Finance)'}

Tillage Industry Ireland CLG

May–August

[Agriculture] Common Agricultural Policy - Convergence

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Brendan Gleeson', 'role': 'Secretary General (Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine)'} {'name': 'Charlie McConalogue', 'role': 'Minister (Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine)'}

Ibec

May–August

[Employment] 'Making Remote Work' seminar engagement

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Colm Markey', 'role': 'MEP (European Parliament)'}

Hume Brophy

on behalf of Yes (client not named)

May–August

[Health] Positive Ageing

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Mary Butler', 'role': 'Minister of State (Department of Health)'} {'name': 'Patricia Ryan', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': "Fergus O'Dowd", 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Seán Crowe', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Alan Kelly', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Dara Calleary', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} + 1 more

Irish Funds Industry Association CLG

May–August

[Economic Development and Industry] Domestic and EU legislative agenda

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': "Aidan O'Connor", 'role': 'Special Adviser (Department of Finance)'} {'name': 'Michael J. McGrath', 'role': 'Assistant Secretary (Department of Finance)'} {'name': 'Sean Fleming', 'role': 'Minister of State (Department of Finance)'}

Pfizer

May–August

[EU Affairs] Pfizer has an investigational COVID-19 treatment, a protease inhibitor which subject to clinical trials and regulatory approvals could play a complementary role to vaccination in helping to manage COVID-19

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Thomas Byrne', 'role': 'Minister of State (Department of the Taoiseach)'}

Neville International

on behalf of Yes (client not named)

May–August

[Justice and Equality] Communication in relation to work visa applications to Ireland by non EEA citizens where a work permit has been obtained due skills shortages in the respective profession.

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Tom Neville (Former DPO)', 'role': 'TD (Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport)'} {'name': 'Michael Creed', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Tim Lombard', 'role': 'Senator (Seanad)'} {'name': 'Ciaran Cannon', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Bernard Durkan', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Seán Kyne', 'role': 'Senator (Seanad)'} + 6 more

Law Society of Ireland

May–August

[Justice and Equality] Covid-19 - Ongoing engagement with the Courts Service

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Angela Denning', 'role': 'Chief Executive Officer (The Courts Service)'} {'name': 'Tom Ward', 'role': 'Assistant Secretary (The Courts Service)'}

State Street International (Ireland) Limited

May–August

[Banking and Financial Institutions] Provided State Street business update to Department of Finance. Discussed ongoing global regulatory initiatives related to asset management

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Michael J. McGrath', 'role': 'Assistant Secretary (Department of Finance)'}

Unite the Union, Ireland Region

May–August

[Transport] Need for Road Safety Authority to engage with Approved Driving Instructors; need for ADIs to have access to hygiene facilities in RSA tests centres

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': "Darren O'Rourke", 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': "Louise O'Reilly", 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'}

Association of Irish Local Government

May–August

[Local Government] Seeking to amend Land Development Agency Bill 2021 to retain Councillors' reserved power on the sale of Council land (s.183)

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Cllr Mary Hoade (Former DPO)', 'role': 'Councillor (Galway County Council)'} {'name': 'Email All Senators', 'role': "Email sent to Senators requesting their support in amending the LDA Bill 2021 so as to retain Councillor's powers of sanction over the sale of Council lands\n7 July 2021"}

Grant Thornton

May–August

[Taxation] Letter to Chairman, The Office of the Revenue Commissioners. Welcoming the extension of the Employment Wage Subsidy Scheme (EWSS), flagging potential issues re: the new monthly EWSS Eligibility Review Form (requesting extension, etc.)

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Niall Cody', 'role': 'Chairman (The Office of the Revenue Commissioners)'}

Irish Deer Commission

May–August

[Environment] A Review of the Legislative and Administration arrangements for Deer Licensing and Wild Deer Management

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Malcom Noonan', 'role': 'Minister of State (Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage)'}

Elgin Energy Services Ltd.

May–August

[Energy and Natural Resources] Elgin Energy provided a briefing on solar development in Ireland and options to encourage investment outside of subsidy framework

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Paul Kenny', 'role': 'Special Adviser (Department of Environment, Climate and Communications)'}

Lobbying Tracker

Most Lobbied TDs