Overwatch Report

The Irish Farmers' Association - IFA

September–December

[Agriculture] CAP Plan - Tillage 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)'} + 28 more

Irish Congress of Trade Unions

September–December

[EU Affairs] Draft Directive on Adequate Minimum Wages

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Damien English', 'role': 'Minister of State (Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment)'} {'name': 'Maria Walsh', 'role': 'MEP (European Parliament)'}

Neville International

on behalf of Yes (client not named)

September–December

[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. Communicating industry findings and challenges with visa application system. Communicating of Workforce Ireland's questions and answers on specific applications.

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Tom Neville (Former DPO)', 'role': 'TD (Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport)'} {'name': 'Bernard Durkan', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'James Browne', 'role': 'Minister of State (Department of Justice)'} {'name': 'Garrett Ahern', 'role': 'Senator (Seanad)'} {'name': 'Helen McEntee', 'role': 'Minister (Department of Justice)'}

Feilte Dhuibh Linne Cuideachta Faoi Theorainn Ráthaíochta

September–December

[Arts] Correspondence with Minister Martin and engaged with various representatives of her Department via emails, phone calls and online meetings

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Catherine Martin', 'role': 'Minister (Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media)'} {'name': 'Cian Ó Lionáin', 'role': 'Assistant Secretary (Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media)'}

Vincent Jennings/Convenience Stores and Newsagents Association (CSNA)

September–December

[Finance] Removing Personal Allowances for tobacco (and alcohol) products from other MS within EU. Changes to Finance Act to allow retailers sell tobacco products ABOVE manufacturers RRP.

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'lorraine hall (Currently employed as a DPO)', 'role': 'Councillor (Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council)'} {'name': 'Colm Burke', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Bernard Durkan', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'}

Association of Insurance & Financial Brokers trading as Brokers Ireland

September–December

[Finance] Motor insurance investigation; inability to get insurance for some risks/ insurance being too expensive; BI’s engagement with Local Enterprise Offices.

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Sean Fleming', 'role': 'Minister of State (Department of Finance)'}

Vincent Jennings/Convenience Stores and Newsagents Association (CSNA)

September–December

[Social Protection] lack of availability of workers for the retail sector in many parts of Ireland

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Alan Dillon', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'}

Neville International

on behalf of Yes (client not named)

September–December

[Employment] Work Permit applications for Non EEA workers in areas of skills shortages in Ireland and the EU

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Tom Neville (Former DPO)', 'role': 'TD (Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport)'} {'name': 'Leo Varadkar', 'role': 'Minister (Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment)'} {'name': 'Philip O’Callaghan', 'role': 'Special Adviser (Department of the Taoiseach)'} {'name': 'Matthew Lynch', 'role': 'Special Adviser (Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment)'}

Christian Aid Ireland

September–December

[Foreign Affairs] EU Budget for the UN Agency for Palestinian Refugees (UNRWA)

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Clare Daly', 'role': 'MEP (European Parliament)'} {'name': 'Mick Wallace', 'role': 'MEP (European Parliament)'} {'name': 'Chris MacManus', 'role': 'MEP (European Parliament)'} {'name': 'Luke Ming Flanagan', 'role': 'MEP (European Parliament)'} {'name': "Grace O'Sullivan", 'role': 'MEP (European Parliament)'} {'name': 'Ciarán Cuffe', 'role': 'MEP (European Parliament)'} + 6 more

RIAI

September–December

[Environment] During Cop26 and coinciding with our annual Conference, which was attended by over 1,700 delegates, the RIAI has published a new climate change initiative – 2030 Climate Challenge – which is to encourage the profession and wider construction industry to achieve net zero whole life carbon for all new and retrofitted buildings by 2030.

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Alan Farrell', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Alice-Mary Higgins', 'role': 'Senator (Seanad)'} {'name': 'Brendan Kenny', 'role': 'Director of Services or Equivalent (Dublin City Council)'} {'name': 'Bríd Smith', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': "Christopher O'Sullivan", 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': "Cian O'Callaghan", 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} + 29 more

Wind Energy Ireland

September–December

[Energy and Natural Resources] Energy storage

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Brian Leddin', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Ivana Bacik', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'}

COPE Galway CLG

September–December

[Public Expenditure and Reform] Budget 2022 Submission detailing a range of measures for inclusion in respect of addressing homelessness, the building of additional social housing, enhancements to legislation to protect tenants of residential dwellings, measures to support older people to continue to live in their homes, the provision of additional domestic abuse refuge spaces for women and children and increases in social welfare rates including the old age pension

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Paschal Donohoe', 'role': 'Minister (Department of Finance)'} {'name': 'Michael McGrath', 'role': 'Minister (Department of Public Expenditure and Reform)'} {'name': 'Hildegarde Naughton', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Catherine Connolly', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Mairéad Farrell', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Noel Grealish', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} + 4 more

RCSI (Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland)

September–December

[Health] Public policies to manage COVID-19

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Email All Oireachtas Members', 'role': ''} {'name': 'Ossian Smyth', 'role': 'Minister of State (Department of Public Expenditure and Reform)'} {'name': 'Heather Humphreys', 'role': 'Minister (Department of Social Protection)'} {'name': 'Heather Humphreys', 'role': 'Minister (Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht)'} {'name': 'Leo Varadkar', 'role': 'An Tánaiste (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Stephen Donnelly', 'role': 'Minister (Department of Health)'} + 1 more

Institute of Professional Auctioneers and Valuers

September–December

[Finance] • a two-tier stamp duty for agricultural land to encourage the retention of farmland in the hands of productive farmers (Finance) • a nationwide Living-Over-The-Shop Scheme to encourage the conversion of empty units in town centres for residential use (Finance) • a derogation allowing owners to live in holiday homes on a permanent basis for a time-specified period to help alleviate the current housing demand (Finance).

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'John McGahon', 'role': 'Senator (Seanad)'} {'name': 'Aidan Davitt', 'role': 'Senator (Seanad)'} {'name': 'John Cummins', 'role': 'Senator (Seanad)'} {'name': 'Robbie Gallagher', 'role': 'Senator (Seanad)'} {'name': 'Paul Kehoe', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Barry Cowen', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} + 1 more

Early Childhood Ireland

September–December

[Children and Youth Affairs] More investment in early years and school age care

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Thomas Byrne', 'role': 'Minister of State (Department of the Taoiseach)'} {'name': 'Holly Cairns', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Shane Cassells', 'role': 'Senator (Seanad)'} {'name': 'Regina Doherty', 'role': 'Senator (Seanad)'} {'name': 'John Lahart', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Ossian Smyth', 'role': 'Minister of State (Department of Public Expenditure and Reform)'} + 6 more

Early Childhood Ireland

September–December

[Children and Youth Affairs] A range of issues including: Covid-19; the Future Funding Model; the Workforce Development Plan; Insurance; Garda Vetting; Operational Review; the Employment Wage Subsidy Scheme; National Childcare Scheme.

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Anne Marie Brooks', 'role': 'Assistant Secretary (Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth)'} {'name': 'Eoin Wilson', 'role': 'Special Adviser (Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth)'} {'name': "Roderic O'Gorman", 'role': 'Minister (Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth)'}

Early Childhood Ireland

September–December

[Children and Youth Affairs] Support for early years and school-age care settings

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Email All Oireachtas Members', 'role': ''}

Construction Industry Federation (CIF)

September–December

[Housing] Housing for all Stakeholder Engagement

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': "Darragh O'Brien", 'role': 'Minister (Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage)'} {'name': 'Barry Quinlan', 'role': 'Assistant Secretary (Department of Environment, Climate and Communications)'}

Construction Industry Federation (CIF)

September–December

[Housing] Housing for all Stakeholder Engagement

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'AnnMarie Farrelly', 'role': 'Chief Executive Officer (Fingal County Council)'}

St Patrick's Mental Health Services

September–December

[Health] The Advocacy Manager, Louise O'Leary, contacted the Office of the Minister for Mental Health and Older People regarding a new campaign, led by the National Parents Council Primary and supported by St Patrick’s Mental Health Services, regarding a campaign for additional primary school-based mental health supports for children and inviting the Minister to the campaign launch.

Public Officials Lobbied

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

Family Business Network Ireland Limited

September–December

[Employment] Meeting with the Tainaiste as part of his Business and State Agency Forum

Public Officials Lobbied

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

Irish Petroleum Industry Association Ltd.

September–December

[Energy and Natural Resources] National Oil Reserves Agency Act 2020

Public Officials Lobbied

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

British Irish Chamber of Commerce

September–December

[Budgetary matters] Meeting with the Tainaiste as part of his Business and State Agency Forum

Public Officials Lobbied

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

Irish Funds Industry Association CLG

September–December

[Economic Development and Industry] Domestic & EU Legislative Agenda

Public Officials Lobbied

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

Safetynet Primary Care

September–December

[Justice and Equality] Invited to speak to the Joint Committee on Children, Disability, Equality, and Integration relating to the agenda item “Experiences of Migrant Communities engaging with State Bodies, the health care system and other social services”, Submitted a statement and attended a live

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Patrick Costello', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Holly Cairns', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': "Jennifer Murnane O'Connor", 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Alan Dillon', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Cathal Crowe', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Kathleen Funchion', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} + 7 more

SAFE Ireland National Social Change Agency CLG T/A SAFE Ireland

September–December

[Justice and Equality] Proposed Garda Síochána (Digital Recording) Bill

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Submission All TDs', 'role': 'Submission with considerations on the proposed Garda Síochána (Digital Recording) Bill'} {'name': 'Submission All Senators', 'role': 'Submission with considerations on the proposed Garda Síochána (Digital Recording) Bill'}

SAFE Ireland National Social Change Agency CLG T/A SAFE Ireland

September–December

[Justice and Equality] Remote Court Pilot Programme Limerick District Court

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Peter Mullan', 'role': 'Head of Directorate (The Courts Service)'}

RWE Renewables Ireland (formerly Innogy Renewables Ireland Limited)

September–December

[Energy and Natural Resources] Briefing on RWE operations in battery storage and renewable energy in Ireland

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Eamon Ryan', 'role': 'Minister (Department of Environment, Climate and Communications)'} {'name': 'Paul Kenny', 'role': 'Special Adviser (Department of Environment, Climate and Communications)'} {'name': 'Brian Leddin', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'}

SIPTU - Services Industrial Professional Trade Union

September–December

[Health] "15th October 2021, met with David Cullinane SF spokesperson for Health and Mairead Farrell re Healthcare in Galway with GUH HCA Rep. SF had requested a meeting with local Galway healthcare reps to understand the issues before meeting with HSE later in the day. Issues specifically raised were outsourcing of healthcare, lack of home care, recruitment and retention of healthcare staff, shortage of mental health care."

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Mairéad Farrell', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'David Cullinane', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'}

SIPTU - Services Industrial Professional Trade Union

September–December

[Economic Development and Industry] "Consultation re The General Scheme of Payment of Wages (Amendment) (Tips and Gratuities) Bill. There are plans to bypass the consultative stage of the process which prevents further discussions and opportunities for stakeholders, such as unions and workers, from engaging and inputting to its content. Part of One Galway Campaign"

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Richard Bruton', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Francis Noel Duffy', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Paul Murphy', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'David Stanton', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Joe Flaherty', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': "James O'Connor", 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} + 1 more

Lobbying Tracker

Most Lobbied TDs