Overwatch Report

Nursing Homes Ireland

January–April

[Health] Engagement with outgoing TD Timmy Dooley re Seanad election 2020.

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Timmy Dooley', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'}

Nursing Homes Ireland

January–April

[Employment] Engagement with Minister Heather Humphreys and Department of Health General Secretary Jim Breslin re COVID-19 workforce planning. This has been a long-standing issue and pressures upon the health services and nursing homes with regard to availability of healthcare assistants increased arising from Covid-19

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Heather Humphreys', 'role': 'Minister (Department of Business, Enterprise and Innovation)'} {'name': 'Jim Breslin', 'role': 'Secretary General (Department of Health)'}

Nursing Homes Ireland

January–April

[Health] Engagement with public officials re key challenges presenting for nursing homes by COVID-19 and measures required to support nursing homes in managing the disease

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Michael McGrath', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Mary Butler', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': "Louise O'Reilly", 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Simon Coveney', 'role': 'Tánaiste and Minister (Department of Foreign Affairs)'} {'name': 'Colm Burke', 'role': 'Senator (Seanad)'} {'name': 'Jerry Buttimer', 'role': 'Senator (Seanad)'} + 4 more

Banking & Payments Federation Ireland

January–April

[Banking and Financial Institutions] Engagement on the definition of essential employee in context of Covid-19 crisis

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Emma Cunningham', 'role': 'Assistant Secretary (Department of Finance)'}

Banking & Payments Federation Ireland

January–April

[Banking and Financial Institutions] Discussion around maintenance of the Residential Property Price Index as it relates to the Irish Mortgage Covered Bonds market

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Emma Cunningham', 'role': 'Assistant Secretary (Department of Finance)'}

Banking & Payments Federation Ireland

January–April

[Banking and Financial Institutions] Provide information on mortgage pricing and switching

Public Officials Lobbied

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

Ibec

January–April

[Economic Development and Industry] Temporary COVID-19 Wage Subsidy Scheme

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Pearse Doherty', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'}

Institute of Professional Auctioneers and Valuers

January–April

[Public Expenditure and Reform] COVID-19 income support to the self-employed over 65 years: The omission of any income support schemes being made available to the self-employed that are over 65 years of age and are in self isolation during COVID-19 Pandemic, as Estate Agents & Valuers find themselves in a situation where they have had to close their business as they are not deemed an Essential Service Provider under the new public health guidelines.

Public Officials Lobbied

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

Institute of Professional Auctioneers and Valuers

January–April

[Community] To seek the inclusion of IPAV members on the list of essential service providers during the current COVID-19 crisis to enable services such as sourcing and providing rental accommodation, property management, providing valuations for a variety of reasons for banks, accountants and solicitors to be carried out.

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Leo Varadkar', 'role': 'Taoiseach (Department of the Taoiseach)'} {'name': 'Eoghan Murphy', 'role': 'Minister (Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government)'} {'name': 'Simon Harris', 'role': 'Minister (Department of Health)'}

The Wheel

January–April

[Community] The Wheel wrote to senior officials on 13th March seeking a package of supports to enable community and voluntary organisations and charities to continue to provides supports and services during the COVID-19 crisis

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Jim Breslin', 'role': 'Secretary General (Department of Health)'} {'name': 'Tony Holohan', 'role': 'Chief Medical Officer (Department of Health)'} {'name': 'Fergal Lynch', 'role': 'Secretary General (Department of Children and Youth Affairs)'} {'name': 'Bairbre Nic Aongusa', 'role': 'Assistant Secretary (Department of Rural and Community Development)'} {'name': 'Kathleen MacLellan', 'role': 'Assistant Secretary (Department of Health)'} {'name': 'Kevin McCarthy', 'role': 'Secretary General (Department of Rural and Community Development)'} + 6 more

Bank of Ireland Group plc

January–April

[Banking and Financial Institutions] Discussion on the forthcoming EU financial services agenda and the broader EU agenda.

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': "Paul O'Brien (Former DPO)", 'role': 'Special Adviser (Department of the Taoiseach)'} {'name': 'Frances Fitzgerald', 'role': 'MEP (European Parliament)'} {'name': 'Billy Kelleher', 'role': 'MEP (European Parliament)'} {'name': 'Deirdre Clune', 'role': 'MEP (European Parliament)'}

Institute of Professional Auctioneers and Valuers

January–April

[Community] To contribute to the Government's newly established COVID-19 Stakeholders’ Forum in relation to the potential effects on the housing and rental markets and in offering solutions to ease the stress on mortgage holders, landlords and tenants alike.

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Leo Varadkar', 'role': 'Taoiseach (Department of the Taoiseach)'}

National Women's Council of Ireland

January–April

[Social Protection] To advocate for women retunring from maternity leave to have access to Temporary Wage Subsidy Scheme

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Social Media All Oireachtas Members', 'role': ''} {'name': 'Paschal Donohoe', 'role': 'Minister (Department of Public Expenditure and Reform)'}

Bank of Ireland Group plc

January–April

[Social Protection] Meeting to discuss how Bank of Ireland could support the establishment of the Temporary Wage Subsidy Scheme.

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': "Paul O'Brien (Former DPO)", 'role': 'Special Advisor (Department of the Taoiseach)'} {'name': 'Des Carville', 'role': 'Head of Unit (Department of Finance)'}

Cork Chamber

January–April

[Economic Development and Industry] Discussion on Cork County Age Friendly Alliance, and the Covid response. A round table of the activities each member of the alliance were engaged in.

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Niall Healy', 'role': 'Director of Services or Equivalent (Cork County Council)'}

Vincent Jennings/Convenience Stores and Newsagents Association (CSNA)

January–April

[Health] Query to Minister for Health on Article 5.3 WHO tobacco Control

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Simon Harris', 'role': 'Minister (Department of Health)'} {'name': 'Catherine Byrne', 'role': 'Minister of State (Department of Health)'}

Vincent Jennings/Convenience Stores and Newsagents Association (CSNA)

January–April

[Employment] Covid19 related queries and observations

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Heather Humphreys', 'role': 'Minister (Department of Business, Enterprise and Innovation)'} {'name': 'Declan Hughes', 'role': 'Assistant Secretary (Department of Business, Enterprise and Innovation)'}

Dublin Chamber of Commerce

January–April

[Economic Development and Industry] Representation to DBEI & Dept Taoiseach on Covid-19 Temporary Wage Subsidy Scheme

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'John Shaw', 'role': 'Assistant Secretary (Department of the Taoiseach)'} {'name': 'Declan Hughes', 'role': 'Assistant Secretary (Department of Business, Enterprise and Innovation)'}

Dublin Chamber of Commerce

January–April

[Economic Development and Industry] Communication with Emer Higgins TD Regarding Covid-19 Temporary Wage Subsidy Scheme

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Emer Higgins', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'}

Dublin Chamber of Commerce

January–April

[Economic Development and Industry] Communication with Steven Matthews TD Regarding Covid-19 Temporary Wage Subsidy Scheme

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Steven Matthews', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'}

Dublin Chamber of Commerce

January–April

[Economic Development and Industry] Communication with Senator Marie Sherlock Regarding Covid-19 Temporary Wage Subsidy Scheme

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Marie Sherlock', 'role': 'Senator (Seanad)'}

Chambers Ireland

January–April

[Economic Development and Industry] Labour and Employer Economic Forum meetings to discuss COVID 19 response including Temporary Wage Subsidy Scheme and Back to Work Protocol

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Leo Varadkar', 'role': 'Taoiseach (Department of the Taoiseach)'} {'name': 'Heather Humphreys', 'role': 'Minister (Department of Business, Enterprise and Innovation)'} {'name': 'Paschal Donohoe', 'role': 'Minister (Department of Finance)'} {'name': 'Robert Watt', 'role': 'Secretary General (Department of Public Expenditure and Reform)'} {'name': 'Martin Fraser', 'role': 'Secretary General (Department of the Taoiseach)'} {'name': 'John Shaw', 'role': 'Assistant Secretary (Department of the Taoiseach)'} + 1 more

Irish Environmental Network

January–April

[Environment] Raised concerns that the emergency legislation in relation to Covid-19 had not commenced in light of HSE advice that planning systems could continue to operate given the Public Authority staff to socially distance and the failure to consider the wider set of actors involved in the planning system. Also highlighted the need to consider other sectors and statutory timelimits which were continuing to drive engagement and increasing risks of spreading infection.

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Tony Holohan', 'role': 'Chief Medical Officer (Department of Health)'}

Irish Tax Institute

January–April

[Taxation] Meeting with Heads of Revenue's Operational Divisions relating to ongoing engagement on tax administartion issues through the ITI Branch Network

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Brian Boyle', 'role': 'Assistant Secretaries or Equivalent Grades (The Office of the Revenue Commissioners)'} {'name': 'Eugene Creighton', 'role': 'Assistant Secretaries or Equivalent Grades (The Office of the Revenue Commissioners)'} {'name': 'Declan Rigney', 'role': 'Assistant Secretaries or Equivalent Grades (The Office of the Revenue Commissioners)'} {'name': 'Orla Fitzpatrick', 'role': 'Assistant Secretary (The Office of the Revenue Commissioners)'} {'name': 'Noel Brett', 'role': 'Assistant Secretary (The Office of the Revenue Commissioners)'}

Irish Tax Institute

January–April

[Taxation] Discussion and subsequent submission to Revenue seeking clarifications on the operation of the COVID-19 Temporary Wage Subsidy Scheme

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Declan Rigney', 'role': 'Assistant Secretaries or Equivalent Grades (The Office of the Revenue Commissioners)'}

Irish Tax Institute

January–April

[Taxation] Email to Revenue seeking further clarification on the operation of the COVID-19 Temporary Wage Subsidy Scheme

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Declan Rigney', 'role': 'Assistant Secretaries or Equivalent Grades (The Office of the Revenue Commissioners)'}

Irish Tax Institute

January–April

[Taxation] Phone call seeking further clarification on the operation of the COVID-19 Temporary Wage Subsidy Scheme

Public Officials Lobbied

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

Irish Tax Institute

January–April

[Taxation] Phone call seeking further clarification on the operation of the COVID-19 Temporary Wage Subsidy Scheme

Public Officials Lobbied

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

Irish Tax Institute

January–April

[Taxation] Three emails to Revenue seeking further clarifications on the operation of the COVID-19 Temporary Wage Subsidy Scheme

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Declan Rigney', 'role': 'Assistant Secretaries or Equivalent Grades (The Office of the Revenue Commissioners)'}

Irish Tax Institute

January–April

[Taxation] Email to Revenue seeking further clarification on the operation of the COVID-19 Temporary Wage Subsidy Scheme

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Declan Rigney', 'role': 'Assistant Secretaries or Equivalent Grades (The Office of the Revenue Commissioners)'}

Lobbying Tracker

Most Lobbied TDs