Overwatch Report

Irish Senior Citizens Parliament

May–August

[Budgetary matters] Made a submission and attended Pre-Budget Forum organised by Minister Regina Doherty in respect of areas of welfare and social protection for Budget 2018. Also advocated for the Right of Audience for pensioners to allow them to vindicate their rights in the area of occupational pensions through the State systems. The use of the State systems to replace the High Court in such cases.

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Regina Doherty', 'role': 'Minister (Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection)'} {'name': 'Anne Vaughan', 'role': 'Deputy Secretary (Department of Social Protection)'} {'name': 'Tim Duggan', 'role': 'Assistant Secretary (Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection)'} {'name': 'John McKeon', 'role': 'Secretary General (Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection)'}

Ibec

September–December

[Banking and Financial Institutions] Implications for citizens businesses and employment of Brexit's impact on Irish British Financial service trade

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': "Michael D'Arcy", 'role': 'Minister of State (Department of Finance)'}

Irish Senior Citizens Parliament

September–December

[Employment] Together with members of the C& V Pillar the ISCP attended a meeting with Minster Frances Fitzgerald where issues regarding employment and the barriers which now exist whereby mandatory retirement in some sectors is forcing older people to leave work against their will.

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Frances Fitzgerald', 'role': 'Minister (Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation)'} {'name': 'Declan Hughes', 'role': 'Assistant Secretary (Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation)'}

Irish Senior Citizens Parliament

September–December

[Social Protection] The Senior Citizens Parliament with others met with officials from the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection to discuss issues across the lifecycle. The specific areas affecting older people were Pensions including benchmarking, reversal of 2012 changes, home makers and carers accesss to pensions and government plans to introduce a second tier pension. That the area of fuel poverty for older people should be addressed in a whole of government context.

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Anne Vaughan', 'role': 'Deputy Secretary (Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection)'} {'name': 'Kathleen Stack', 'role': 'Assistant Secretary (Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection)'}

Irish Senior Citizens Parliament

September–December

[Budgetary matters] Meeting with Minister Paschal Donohoe in advance of Budget 2018 with members of the C& V Pillar seeking to influence the Minister to deliver a Budget which would be favourable to older people and which would reverse the measures imposed during the years of austerity.

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Paschal Donohoe', 'role': 'Minister (Department of Public Expenditure and Reform)'} {'name': 'Stephen Lynam', 'role': 'Special Adviser (Department of Public Expenditure and Reform)'} {'name': "Michael W. D'Arcy", 'role': 'Minister of State (Department of Finance)'}

The Irish Farmers' Association - IFA

September–December

[Agriculture] EU Citizens Dialogue on the Future of Europe

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Leo Varadkar', 'role': 'Taoiseach (Department of the Taoiseach)'} {'name': 'Simon Coveney', 'role': 'Minister (Department of Foreign Affairs)'} {'name': 'Helen McEntee', 'role': 'Minister of State (Department of Foreign Affairs)'} {'name': 'Michael Healy-Rae', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': "Frank O'Rourke", 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Seán Haughey', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} + 3 more

An Siol CDP

September–December

[Community] We were looking to be put forward for Dublin City Council discretionary funding to gain funding for our senior citizens bus. It must be proposed by a councillor.

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Janice Boylan', 'role': 'Councillor (Dublin City Council)'}

Irish Family Planning Association

September–December

[Health] Communicate IFPA observations on the work and report of the Citizens' Assembly

Public Officials Lobbied

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

Irish Family Planning Association

September–December

[Health] To discuss the Ancillary Recommendations of the Citizens' Assembly report on the Eighth Amendment

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Colette Kelleher', 'role': 'Senator (Seanad)'}

Carnegie UK Trust

September–December

[EU Affairs] Implications of UK exiting the EU for UK digital citizens and consumers

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Email All TDs', 'role': ''} {'name': 'Colette Byrne', 'role': 'CEO (Kilkenny County Council)'} {'name': 'Tim Caffrey', 'role': 'Chief Executive Officer (Longford County Council)'} {'name': 'Peter Carey', 'role': 'CEO (Kildare County Council)'} {'name': 'Paul Clifford', 'role': 'Director of Services or Equivalent (Monaghan County Council)'} {'name': 'Frank Curran', 'role': 'Chief Executive Officer (Leitrim County Council)'} + 18 more

Carnegie UK Trust

September–December

[Public Expenditure and Reform] Citizens' experience and views of public service delivery methods

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Richard Bruton', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Joan Burton', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Michael Collins', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Bryan Doyle', 'role': 'Chief Executive Officer (Wicklow County Council)'} {'name': 'Frances Fitzgerald', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Michael Fitzmaurice', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} + 4 more

Irish Creamery Milk Suppliers Association

September–December

[Environment] ICMSA concerns in relation to Citizen Assembly proposals on climate changes.

Public Officials Lobbied

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

Ryan Meade

on behalf of Yes (client not named)

January–April

[Community] Implementation of the recommendations of "Citizens Rising: a report from The People's Conversation"

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Ryan Meade (Former DPO)', 'role': '- (-)'} {'name': 'Email All Oireachtas Members', 'role': 'Emailed all candidates in the 2016 General Election asking them to support the recommendations of Citizens Rising. The distribution list included many (but not all) Oireachtas members.'} {'name': 'Email All Local Authority Members', 'role': 'Emailed all candidates in the 2016 General Election asking them to support the recommendations of Citizens Rising. The distribution list included many (but not all) local authority members.'}

SSE plc

January–April

[Local Government] Smart Dublin is an initiative of the four Dublin LA’s to engage with smart technology providers, researchers and citizens to solve city challenges and improve city life. SSE Airtricity Utility Solutions offered to facilitate an introduction for Dublin City Council to Hampshire County Council, which has worked with SSE to install large-scale smart lighting solutions. DCC executives visited Hampshire Council to discuss lessons learned and to receive a technology demo by SSE and

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Owen Keegan', 'role': 'CEO (Dublin City Council)'}

Dublin Cemeteries Committee

May–August

[Community] To discuss funding for planned 1916 Citizens Chapel in Glasnevin Cemetery.

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Seosamh Ó hÁghmaill', 'role': 'Secretary General (Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht)'}

Joseph Goodfellow

May–August

[Local Government] Why are some Irish Citizens treated differently than other.

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Email All Councillors', 'role': "From: Joe Goodfellow [mailto:[email protected]] \nSent: 22 August 2016 16:04\nTo: '[email protected]'; 'Brendan McGrath C Exec'\nCc: '[email protected]'; '[email protected]'; '[email protected]'; '[email protected]'; '[email protected]'; '[email protected]'; '[email protected]'; '[email protected]'; '[email protected]'; '[email protected]'; '[email protected]'; '[email protected]'; '[email protected]'; '[email protected]'; '[email protected]'; '[email protected]'; '[email protected]'; '[email protected]'\nSubject: Catherina (mail corrected)\n\nDear Mr. Connell,\n\nYesterday morning, at the entrance to Nimmo’s Pier, I was advised by a gentleman claiming to represent the Claddagh residents in no uncertain terms that the boat “Catherina”, currently moored at the west end of Nimmo’s pier, under no circumstances would be allowed to moor at the disused pier oppos"} {'name': 'Billy Cameron', 'role': 'Councillor (Galway City Council)'} {'name': 'Ollie Crowe', 'role': 'Councillor (Galway City Council)'} {'name': 'Mike Cubbard', 'role': 'Councillor (Galway City Council)'} {'name': 'Frank Fahy', 'role': 'Councillor (Galway City Council)'} {'name': 'Mairead Farrell', 'role': 'Councillor (Galway City Council)'} + 10 more

Carnegie UK Trust

May–August

[Community] The different ways in which state institutions, civil society groups and industry can work together to deliver better outcomes for citizens

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Kathleen Lynch', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Simon Harris', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'David Stanton', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Jerry Buttimer', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Pat Rabitte', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Michael McCarthy', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} + 13 more

Coalition to Repeal the Eighth Amendment

May–August

[Health] Copied Oireachtas members on 2 x Press Statements re: Citizens Assembly & UPR

Public Officials Lobbied

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

Ryan Meade

on behalf of Yes (client not named)

May–August

[Community] Policies to support a greater role for citizens in public decision making

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Ryan Meade (Former DPO)', 'role': 'Special Advisor (Department of Environment, Community and Local Government)'} {'name': 'Letter All TDs', 'role': 'We sent every TD elected to the 32nd Dáil a copy of the report Citizens Rising with a cover letter asking for the opportunity to brief them further.'}

The Wheel

May–August

[Community] Policies to support a greater role for citizens in public decision making

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Ryan Meade (Former DPO)', 'role': 'Special Adviser (Department of Environment, Community and Local Government)'} {'name': 'Letter All Oireachtas Members', 'role': 'We sent every TD elected to the 32nd Dáil a copy of the report Citizens Rising with a cover letter asking for the opportunity to brief them further.'}

Amnesty International Ireland

May–August

[Health] Communicating Amnesty International recommendations for process and outcome of Citizens' Assembly's proposed review of 8th Amendment and abortion laws

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Enda Kenny', 'role': 'Taoiseach (Department of the Taoiseach)'} {'name': 'Frances Fitzgerald', 'role': 'Minister (Department of Justice and Equality)'} {'name': 'Simon Harris', 'role': 'Minister of State (Department of Finance)'}

Irish Senior Citizens Parliament

September–December

[Health] Meeting regarding progression of Older Person's Services.

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Helen McEntee', 'role': 'Minister of State (Department of Health)'}

Irish Senior Citizens Parliament

September–December

[Budgetary matters] Budget 2017 to ensure that Older People would receive be reated

Public Officials Lobbied

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

Irish Senior Citizens Parliament

September–December

[Budgetary matters] Lobbied under the Social Welfare Bill 2016 at report stage in the Seanad in Support of an Amendment to the the Pensions Act 1990 by inserting a new section 48A into the BIll

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Fintan Warfield', 'role': 'Senator (Seanad)'} {'name': 'Lynn Ruane', 'role': 'Senator (Seanad)'} {'name': 'James Reilly', 'role': 'Senator (Seanad)'} {'name': "Joe O'Reilly", 'role': 'Senator (Seanad)'} {'name': "Kieran O'Donnell", 'role': 'Senator (Seanad)'} {'name': 'Niall Ó Donnghaile', 'role': 'Senator (Seanad)'} + 31 more

Carnegie UK Trust

September–December

[Community] Communication to request examples of best practice models for how cities, regions and other local areas can measure wellbeing

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Richard Bruton', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Joan Burton', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Jerry Buttimer', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Andrew Doyle', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Damien English', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Frances Fitzgerald', 'role': 'Minister (Department of Justice and Equality)'} + 8 more

Coalition to Repeal the Eighth Amendment

September–December

[Health] Circulated copy of the Coalition submission to the Citizens' Assembly

Public Officials Lobbied

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

Coalition to Repeal the Eighth Amendment

September–December

[Health] Coalition Press Statement re: Citizens' Assembly

Public Officials Lobbied

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

County Wicklow Public Participation Network

September–December

[Community] Open Government Partnership Consultation on the Draft National Action Plan. Specifically Improving Citizen Engagement

Public Officials Lobbied

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

IMPACT trade union

September–December

[EU Affairs] European Citizens Initiative (ECI) on recognising access to water and sanitation as a human right (Right2Water.eu) which aims to exclude water and sanitation services from EU internal market rules, and legislate to ensure water and sanitation assets remain in public control.

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Lynn Boylan', 'role': 'MEP (European Parliament)'} {'name': 'Matt Carthy', 'role': 'MEP (European Parliament)'} {'name': 'Nessa Childers', 'role': 'MEP (European Parliament)'} {'name': 'Deirdre Clune', 'role': 'MEP (European Parliament)'} {'name': 'Brian Crowley', 'role': 'MEP (European Parliament)'} {'name': 'Luke "Ming" Flanagan', 'role': 'MEP (European Parliament)'} + 5 more

The Wheel

September–December

[Community] Lauched report on Rethinking Citizenship for 2016 (entitled Citizens Rising) aimed at developing policies that support active citizenship and community empowerment

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Email All Oireachtas Members', 'role': 'We invited all members of the Oireachtas to attend the launch of the Report (entitled Citizens Rising) held in The Mansion House, Dublin on Thursday 29th October'}

Lobbying Tracker

Most Lobbied TDs