Overwatch Report

Third Age

September–December

[Health] 21st December 2021, Alliance of Age Sector NGO’s met Minister Mary Butler to discuss Policy Area: Positive ageing; Services for Older People; Ageism. Relevant matter: Combat of ageism and the implementation of the National Positive Ageing Strategy (2013). Specific details: (1) The urgent need for a collaborative and resourced programme of work to tackle ageism. (2) The need for leadership and relevant structures to support effective implementation of the National Positive Ageing Strateg

Public Officials Lobbied

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

Pfizer

September–December

[Health] 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': 'Susan Mitchell', 'role': 'Special Adviser (Department of Health)'} {'name': 'Nick Miller', 'role': 'Assistant Government Press Secretary (Department of the Taoiseach)'} {'name': 'David Cullinane', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Thomas Byrne', 'role': 'Minister of State (Department of the Taoiseach)'} {'name': 'Deirdre Gillane', 'role': 'Chief of Staff (Department of the Taoiseach)'}

Sustainable Water Network (SWAN)

September–December

[Environment] Water and Waste Water Management Projects in the NDP

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Eamon Ryan', 'role': 'Minister (Department of Environment, Climate and Communications)'}

BlackRock Asset Management Ireland Limited

September–December

[Banking and Financial Institutions] Global and EU Money Market Fund reform efforts

Public Officials Lobbied

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

Age Action

September–December

[Social Protection] Age Action proposals on the State Pension

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Email All TDs', 'role': ''}

Age Action

September–December

[Social Protection] Attendance at the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Social Protection

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Marc Ó Cathasaigh', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Denis Naughten', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Claire Kerrane', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Eugene Murphy', 'role': 'Senator (Seanad)'} {'name': 'Paul Gavan', 'role': 'Senator (Seanad)'} {'name': 'Éamon Ó Cuív', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} + 2 more

Age Action

September–December

[Social Protection] Bilateral meeting between the Community and Voluntary Pillar and the Dept. of Social Protection

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Teresa Leonard', 'role': 'Assistant Secretary (Department of Social Protection)'}

Nursing Homes Ireland

September–December

[Health] NHI appealed to Minister Butler to approve the provision and supply of antigen testing kits by Government to nursing home residents, their visitors and staff as an additional public health measure to prevent and manage Covid19.

Public Officials Lobbied

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

Nursing Homes Ireland

September–December

[Health] Workforce Challenges- Nursing Homes are experiencing a crisis due to workforce shortages, particularly healthcare assistants. Nursing Homes have advanced the requirement for pay parity, with the State suppressing wage capacity through the Nursing Home Support Scheme. Extreme pressures present for some nursing homes, with critical staffing challenges also present due to Covid19.

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'David Cullinane', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Colm Burke', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Mary Butler', 'role': 'Minister of State (Department of Health)'} {'name': 'Peadar Tóibín', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Marian Harkin', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Sean Canney', 'role': 'Minister of State (Department of Public Expenditure and Reform)'}

Tillage Industry Ireland CLG

September–December

[Agriculture] Letter sent to seek removal of EU Customs Tariff and anti dumping duty on Fertiliser imports to EU

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Charlie McConalogue', 'role': 'Minister (Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine)'} {'name': 'Leo Varadkar', 'role': 'An Tánaiste (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Brendan Gleeson', 'role': 'Secretary General (Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine)'} {'name': 'Bill Callanan', 'role': 'Chief Inspector (Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine)'} {'name': 'Orlaigh Quinn', 'role': 'Secretary General (Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment)'}

HAIL - Housing Association for Integrated Living

September–December

[Housing] Percentage allocation of units under part V for vulnerable groups in particular those with mental health difficulties

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Mary Butler', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'}

Irish Congress of Trade Unions

September–December

[Employment] Draft Directive published by the EU Commission in October 2020 on Adequate Minimum Wages

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Email All MEPs', 'role': ''}

Virtus Project Management Limited

on behalf of Yes (client not named)

September–December

[Housing] Pre-Draft Fingal County Development Plan 2023 - 2029

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Letter All Local Authority Members', 'role': ''} {'name': 'Jimmy Guerin', 'role': 'Councillor (Fingal County Council)'} {'name': 'David Healy', 'role': 'Councillor (Fingal County Council)'} {'name': 'Brian McDonagh', 'role': 'Councillor (Fingal County Council)'} {'name': 'Anthony Lavin', 'role': 'Councillor (Fingal County Council)'} {'name': 'Aoibhinn Tormey', 'role': 'Councillor (Fingal County Council)'} + 1 more

Cuala Senior Care Limited

September–December

[Health] Engagement on home care sector regulation, the home care workforce in Ireland and future resource planning.

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Jack Chambers', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Róisín Shorthall', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Neasa Hourigan', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': "Roderic O'Gorman", 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Emer Higgins', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'}

Pender & Associates Ltd

on behalf of Yes (client not named)

September–December

[Health] Engagement on home care sector regulation, the home care workforce in Ireland and future resource planning.

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Róisín Shorthall', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Neasa Hourigan', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'}

Coillte CGA

September–December

[Agriculture] Engagement on forestry road permits, land use initiatives, afforestation initiatives including the consent required for the formation of Nature Partners, and the consent required for the formation of Future Energy Ireland.

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Pippa Hackett', 'role': 'Super Junior Minister (Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine)'} {'name': 'Brendan Gleeson', 'role': 'Secretary General (Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine)'} {'name': 'Colm Hayes', 'role': 'Assistant Secretary (Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine)'} {'name': 'Barry Delany', 'role': 'Director (Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine)'}

THE DUBLIN WELL WOMAN CENTRE LIMITED

September–December

[Health] Planning for the introduction of free contraception for women aged 17 - 25 during 2022

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Seán Crowe', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'}

Irish Exporters Association

September–December

[Transport] Follow up to submitted feedback from IEA members on measures that could be taken to address the HGV driver shortage.

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Hildegarde Naughton', 'role': 'Minister of State (Department of Transport)'}

National Adult Literacy Agency

September–December

[Education and Training] Implementation of 10-year adult literacy, numeracy and digital literacy strategy

Public Officials Lobbied

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

Cavanagh Communications

on behalf of Yes (client not named)

September–December

[Children and Youth Affairs] 30/9/2021 – Childhood Development Initiative: News release 'Fathers call for greater equality and engagement in their parenting role' circulated to all TDs and Senators.

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Email All Oireachtas Members', 'role': 'News release emailed to all TDs and Senators for their information.'}

Cavanagh Communications

on behalf of Yes (client not named)

September–December

[Health] 30/09/2021: Acquired Brain Injury Ireland news release 'Call for Acquired Brain Injury Case Management resource in all counties' to TDs and Senators.

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Email All Oireachtas Members', 'role': 'News release circulated for information to all Oireachtas members.'}

St. Francis Hospice Dublin

September–December

[Health] Pedestrian Access to St. Francis Hospice Blanchardstown from Blanchardstown village

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Emer Currie', 'role': 'Senator (Seanad)'}

St. Francis Hospice Dublin

September–December

[Health] Seeking assistance to secure restoration of funding from the HSE for St. Francis Hospice Dublin as a Section 39 funded agency, in order to implement the new HSE payscales associated with the Lansdowne Road Agreement.

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Emer Currie', 'role': 'Senator (Seanad)'} {'name': 'Clare Mungovan', 'role': 'Special Adviser (Department of the Taoiseach)'} {'name': 'Jack Chambers', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Sam Griffin', 'role': 'Special Adviser (Department of the Taoiseach)'} {'name': 'Leo Varadkar', 'role': 'An Tánaiste (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Stephen Donnelly', 'role': 'Minister (Department of Health)'} + 4 more

Muscular Dystrophy Society of Ireland GLC

September–December

[Budgetary matters] As part of MDI's Pre-Budget 2022 campaign (see May-August 2021 return also), members were invited to take part in a letter-writing campaign to local TDs and senators, asking for their support for our submission. 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 su

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Aengus Ó Snodaigh', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Aisling Dolan', 'role': 'Senator (Seanad)'} {'name': 'Alan Dillon', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Alan Farrell', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Anne Rabbitte', 'role': 'Minister of State (Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth)'} {'name': 'Annie Hoey', 'role': 'Senator (Seanad)'} + 124 more

Chambers Ireland

September–December

[Employment] Fitfor55 Package

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Robert Troy', 'role': 'Minister of State (Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment)'}

Mullingar Chamber Of Commerce

September–December

[Transport] Mullingar Chamber will notify WCC of signage that needs attention.

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Deirdre Reilly', 'role': 'Director of Services or Equivalent (Westmeath County Council)'}

Business Objects Software Limited

September–December

[Economic Development and Industry] Update on SAP’s investments in Ireland; Discussion of SAP’s Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning Strategy; Demonstrate SAP’s vision of fact based, real-time policy formulation, management and tracking solution

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Leo Varadkar', 'role': 'Minister (Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment)'}

The Irish Farmers' Association - IFA

September–December

[Agriculture] Labour Shortage in Agriculture

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Charlie McConalogue', 'role': 'Minister (Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine)'} {'name': 'Damien English', 'role': 'Minister of State (Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment)'} {'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)'} + 27 more

The Irish Farmers' Association - IFA

September–December

[EU Affairs] COM AGRI Vote on the Common Agricultural Policy Legislative Package

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Luke Ming Flanagan', 'role': 'MEP (European Parliament)'}

The Irish Farmers' Association - IFA

September–December

[Environment] Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) - Comments on Emissions from the Agriculture Sector

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

Lobbying Tracker

Most Lobbied TDs