Overwatch Report

Bank of Ireland Group plc

September–December

[Banking and Financial Institutions] To brief party leadership on the prevalence of fraud, how fraudsters target Irish consumers, and policy interventions that could help to prevent fraud.

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': "Paul O'Brien (Former DPO)", 'role': 'Special Adviser (Department of the Taoiseach)'} {'name': 'Simon Harris', 'role': 'An Taoiseach (Department of the Taoiseach)'} {'name': 'Matthew Lynch', 'role': 'Special Adviser (Department of the Taoiseach)'} {'name': 'Joanne Lonergan', 'role': 'Chief of Staff (Department of the Taoiseach)'} {'name': 'Micheál Martin', 'role': 'Tánaiste and Minister (Department of the Taoiseach)'} {'name': 'Deirdre Gillane', 'role': 'Chief of Staff (Department of the Taoiseach)'} + 5 more

Bank of Ireland Group plc

September–December

[Banking and Financial Institutions] To highlight the ongoing issue of fraud and advocate for specific policy interventions to help prevent fraud and protect consumers.

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': "Paul O'Brien (Former DPO)", 'role': 'Special Adviser (Department of the Taoiseach)'} {'name': 'Damien Garvey (Former DPO)', 'role': 'Special Adviser (Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht)'} {'name': 'Simon Harris', 'role': 'An Taoiseach (Department of the Taoiseach)'} {'name': 'Micheál Martin', 'role': 'Tánaiste and Minister (Department of the Taoiseach)'} {'name': 'Paschal Donohoe', 'role': 'Minister (Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform)'} {'name': 'Helen McEntee', 'role': 'Minister (Department of Justice)'} + 8 more

Bank of Ireland Group plc

September–December

[Banking and Financial Institutions] Attendance at a Bank of Ireland local branch fraud awareness event to highlight the ongoing issue of fraud and brief on the measures the Bank takes to protect customers.

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Paul O’Brien (Former DPO)', 'role': 'Special Adviser (Department of the Taoiseach)'} {'name': 'Neale Richmond', 'role': 'Minister of State (Department of Finance)'} {'name': 'Fiona Campbell', 'role': 'Adviser to Minister of State (Department of Finance)'}

Bank of Ireland Group plc

September–December

[Banking and Financial Institutions] To discuss the policy framework for funds and investment incentive schemes.

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': "Paul O'Brien (Former DPO)", 'role': 'Special Adviser (Department of the Taoiseach)'} {'name': 'Matthew Lynch', 'role': 'Special Adviser (Department of the Taoiseach)'}

Bank of Ireland Group plc

September–December

[Banking and Financial Institutions] To highlight the ongoing issue of online fraud and advocate for specific policy interventions to help prevent fraud and protect consumers.

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': "Paul O'Brien (Former DPO)", 'role': 'Special Adviser (Department of the Taoiseach)'} {'name': 'Regina Doherty', 'role': 'MEP (European Parliament)'} {'name': 'Billy Kelleher', 'role': 'MEP (European Parliament)'} {'name': 'Maria Walsh', 'role': 'MEP (European Parliament)'} {'name': 'Cynthia Ní Mhurchú', 'role': 'MEP (European Parliament)'}

Cootehill Chamber of Commerce

September–December

[Communications] Meeting with Cavan County Council on rollout of broadband in the area and difficulties of business owners securing a consistent broadband service. Frequent breakdowns cause additional cost and inconvenience for business who are encouraged to switch to online sales, electronic tills and online banking. .

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Paddy Connaughton', 'role': 'Director of Services or Equivalent (Cavan County Council)'}

Bank of Ireland Group plc

September–December

[Banking and Financial Institutions] Incoming Bank of Ireland Group Chairman Akshaya Bhargava and outgoing Chairman Patrick Kennedy meeting with Department of Finance Secretary General John Hogan.

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'John Hogan', 'role': 'Secretary General (Department of Finance)'}

State Street International (Ireland) Limited

September–December

[Banking and Financial Institutions] Meeting between staff of State Street Corporation (Joe Barry, Global Head, Sven Kasper, International Head, Ciara Horigan and Guido Faltoni, VP of RIGA) and Michael McGrath (Assistant Secretary General, Financial Services Division of the Irish Department of Finance). The agenda included an exchange of views on the Funds Sector 2030 Review consultation issued by the Dept. of Finance and developments in the ETF trends space in Ireland and in the EU.

Public Officials Lobbied

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

State Street International (Ireland) Limited

September–December

[Banking and Financial Institutions] State Street Client and Industry partners breakfast, held at the Shelbourne Hotel. Michael J, McGrath Assistant Secretary General at the Department of Finance, took part in a panel discussion on the European and Irish regulatory industry broadly. Michael J. McGrath gave the opening remarks and remained in attendance for the event.

Public Officials Lobbied

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

Permanent TSB Plc

September–December

[Taxation] Letter to outline PTSB's view on revised banking levy.

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Jack Chambers', 'role': 'Minister (Department of Finance)'}

Aon Investment Holdings Ireland Limited

September–December

[Banking and Financial Institutions] Implementation of Pillar 2 transition arrangements relating to minimum corporate tax rate

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Jack Chambers', 'role': 'Minister (Department of Finance)'}

Insurance Ireland

September–December

[Banking and Financial Institutions] On behalf of members, to issue the insurance sector's proposals for the next Ireland for Finance action plan.

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Neale Richmond', 'role': 'Minister of State (Department of Finance)'} {'name': 'Fiona Campbell', 'role': 'Adviser to Minister of State (Department of Finance)'} {'name': 'Michael J. McGrath', 'role': 'Assistant Secretary (Department of Finance)'}

State Street International (Ireland) Limited

September–December

[Banking and Financial Institutions] Virtual call with Anna Doorly, Oliver Gilvarry, John Palmer, Department of Finance on CRDVI

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Oliver Gilvarry', 'role': 'Assistant Secretary (Department of Finance)'}

Irish Exporters Association

January–April

[Banking and Financial Institutions] Enterprise Forum

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Simon Coveney', 'role': 'Minister (Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment)'} {'name': 'Neale Richmond', 'role': 'Minister of State (Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment)'} {'name': 'Dara Calleary', 'role': 'Minister of State (Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment)'} {'name': 'Ronnie Downes', 'role': 'Assistant Secretary (Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment)'}

KBC Bank Ireland

January–April

[Banking and Financial Institutions] Update Meeting with Assistant Secretary of Department of Finance

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Oliver Gilvarry', 'role': 'Assistant Secretary (Department of Finance)'}

Quartech group

January–April

[Banking and Financial Institutions] Misselling and Vulture Funds

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Mairéad Farrell', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': "Jim O'Callaghan", 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Pearse Doherty', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'}

Goldman Sachs Asset Management International

January–April

[Banking and Financial Institutions] CRD Art. 21c

Public Officials Lobbied

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

Ibec

January–April

[Finance] Banking Union, Capital Markets Union, Solvency II, IVASS, Inducements, Investment Firm Regime

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Colm Markey', 'role': 'MEP (European Parliament)'} {'name': 'Sean Kelly', 'role': 'MEP (European Parliament)'} {'name': 'Deirdre Clune', 'role': 'MEP (European Parliament)'} {'name': 'Maria Walsh', 'role': 'MEP (European Parliament)'} {'name': 'Billy Kelleher', 'role': 'MEP (European Parliament)'} {'name': 'Frances Fitzgerald', 'role': 'MEP (European Parliament)'}

Baillie Gifford Investment Management (Europe) Limited

January–April

[Banking and Financial Institutions] St Patrick’s Day Programme: Minister of State, IDA Ireland and Enterprise Ireland visit to Edinburgh on 13 March 2023.

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Jennifer Carroll MacNeill', 'role': 'Minister of State (Department of Finance)'}

Klarna Bank AB

January–April

[Banking and Financial Institutions] Letter of congratulations and meeting request.

Public Officials Lobbied

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

Insurance Ireland

January–April

[Banking and Financial Institutions] On behalf of members to lend support to the sustainable finance agenda

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Ciarán Cuffe', 'role': 'MEP (European Parliament)'} {'name': 'Billy Kelleher', 'role': 'MEP (European Parliament)'} {'name': 'Paschal Donohoe', 'role': 'Minister (Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform)'} {'name': "Fiona O'Connor", 'role': 'Special Adviser (Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform)'}

Insurance Ireland

January–April

[Banking and Financial Institutions] On behalf of members, to inform the Department about the insurance sector’s priorities for IFS2025

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Michael McGrath', 'role': 'Assistant Secretary (Department of Finance)'} {'name': 'Jennifer Carroll MacNeill', 'role': 'Minister of State (Department of Finance)'} {'name': 'Stephen Foley', 'role': 'Special Adviser (Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment)'} {'name': 'Michael McGrath', 'role': 'Minister (Department of Finance)'} {'name': 'Grant Sweetnam', 'role': 'Special Adviser (Department of Public Expenditure and Reform)'}

Insurance Ireland

January–April

[Banking and Financial Institutions] On behalf of members, providing input into debate on access to financial services

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Jennifer Whitmore', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Róisín Shorthall', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Francis Noel Duffy', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Jennifer Carroll MacNeill', 'role': 'Minister of State (Department of Finance)'} {'name': 'Stephen Foley', 'role': 'Special Adviser (Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment)'} {'name': 'Grant Sweetnam', 'role': 'Special Adviser (Department of Public Expenditure and Reform)'} + 18 more

Insurance Ireland

January–April

[Banking and Financial Institutions] On behalf of members, making proposals in relation to the review of changes in European regulation

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Chris MacManus', 'role': 'MEP (European Parliament)'} {'name': 'Frances Fitzgerald', 'role': 'MEP (European Parliament)'} {'name': 'Billy Kelleher', 'role': 'MEP (European Parliament)'} {'name': 'Ciarán Cuffe', 'role': 'MEP (European Parliament)'} {'name': "Grace O'Sullivan", 'role': 'MEP (European Parliament)'} {'name': 'Deirdre Clune', 'role': 'MEP (European Parliament)'} + 5 more

Insurance Ireland

January–April

[Banking and Financial Institutions] On behalf of members, providing input into pensions policy

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Claire Kerrane', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Éamon Ó Cuív', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Róisín Shorthall', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Jackie Cahill', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Joe Carey', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Joan Collins', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} + 15 more

Insurance Ireland

January–April

[Banking and Financial Institutions] On behalf of members, to raise awareness of issues pertinent to the Irish insurance industry

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Michael McGrath', 'role': 'Assistant Secretary (Department of Finance)'} {'name': 'Matthew Lynch', 'role': 'Special Adviser (Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment)'} {'name': 'Grant Sweetnam', 'role': 'Special Adviser (Department of Public Expenditure and Reform)'} {'name': 'Stephen Foley', 'role': 'Special Adviser (Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment)'} {'name': "Fiona O'Connor", 'role': 'Special Adviser (Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform)'} {'name': 'Jennifer Carroll MacNeill', 'role': 'Minister of State (Department of Finance)'} + 7 more

Insurance Ireland

January–April

[Banking and Financial Institutions] On behalf of members, to raise awareness of issues pertinent to the Irish motor insurance industry

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Keith Walsh', 'role': 'Assistant Secretary (Department of Transport)'} {'name': 'Jack Chambers', 'role': 'Minister of State (Department of Transport)'}

Insurance Ireland

January–April

[Banking and Financial Institutions] On behalf of members to lend support to diversity and inclusion in the financial services sector

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Jennifer Carroll MacNeill', 'role': 'Minister of State (Department of Finance)'} {'name': 'Stephen Foley', 'role': 'Special Adviser (Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment)'}

Alliance for Insurance Reform

January–April

[Banking and Financial Institutions] Seeking policy decisions that will reduce the cost of insurance for our members and Irish society as a whole to affordable levels and keep it that way.

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Email All Oireachtas Members', 'role': ''} {'name': 'Matt Shanahan', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Ollie Crowe', 'role': 'Senator (Seanad)'} {'name': 'Dara Calleary', 'role': 'Minister of State (Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment)'} {'name': 'Jennifer Carroll MacNeill', 'role': 'Minister of State (Department of Finance)'} {'name': 'Matt Shanahan', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} + 4 more

Revolut Ltd

January–April

[Banking and Financial Institutions] Briefing on Revolut's growth in Ireland (2m+ retail accounts and 150+ staff employed). Revolut’s investment in hi-tech fraud detection systems and anti-fraud processes; the need for urgent measures to stop fraud at source, as most originates from fake phone calls, fake texts and fake websites. Revolut credit - incl. personal loans and responsible Pay Later - and aim to support the green retrofit lending scheme. Revolut car insurance; long-term ambition to bro

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Michael McGrath', 'role': 'Minister (Department of Finance)'} {'name': 'Jennifer Carroll MacNeill', 'role': 'Minister of State (Department of Finance)'} {'name': 'Stephen Foley', 'role': 'Special Adviser (Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment)'} {'name': 'Kevin Barrett', 'role': 'Special Adviser (Department of Public Expenditure and Reform)'}

Lobbying Tracker

Most Lobbied TDs