Overwatch Report

National Association of Boards of Management in Special Education

September–December

[Economic Development and Industry] Would like DES to fund/partially fund Tetanus, Hep B and flu vaccinations for staff in special schools.

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Deirdre Shanley', 'role': 'Assistant Secretary (Department of Education and Skills)'}

Ballyhoura Heritage and Environment CLG

September–December

[Community] Lobbying to encourage the Minister to encourage the financial commitment from Coillte towards the upgrade and redevelopment of the Ballyhoura Mountain Bike facility. That Coillte would give the financial commitment needed to deliver the project.

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': "Patrick O'Donovan", 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'}

Ibec

September–December

[Economic Development and Industry] Criteria for Employment Wage Subsidy Scheme

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Edward Brophy', 'role': 'Special Advisor (Department of Public Expenditure and Reform)'}

Oxfam Ireland

September–December

[Foreign Affairs] Regarding the Moria Camp tragedy and relocation of unaccompanied minors.

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Thomas Byrne', 'role': 'Minister of State (Department of the Taoiseach)'}

Oxfam Ireland

September–December

[Foreign Affairs] Regarding the Moria Camp tragedy and relocation of unaccompanied minors and Oxfam's engagement with the European Commission on the development of a new pact on Migration and Asylum.

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Jennifer Whitmore', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Simon Coveney', 'role': 'Minister (Department of Foreign Affairs)'} {'name': 'John Brady', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Lisa Chambers', 'role': 'Senator (Seanad)'} {'name': 'Vincent P Martin', 'role': 'Senator (Seanad)'} {'name': 'Brendan Howlin', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} + 7 more

Oxfam Ireland

September–December

[Environment] Provision of information on recent analysis on carbon emissions asssociated with households and transport. General information on how Oxfam calculated average per capita carbon footprints of different income groups

Public Officials Lobbied

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

Irish SME Association

September–December

[Children and Youth Affairs] We sought assistance from the Department on flexibility on recoupment of monies from the childcare under the Temporary COVID-19 Wage Subsidy Childcare Scheme (TWSCS).

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': "Roderic O'Gorman", 'role': 'Minister (Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth)'} {'name': 'Fergal Lynch', 'role': 'Secretary General (Department of Children and Youth Affairs)'} {'name': 'Bernie McNally', 'role': 'Assistant Secretary (Department of Children and Youth Affairs)'}

Irish SME Association

September–December

[Justice and Equality] We sought urgent clarifications on legal reform, reduction in general damages, insurance sector reform, Equality of Arms in Civil Litigation; Champerty and Maintenance

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Helen McEntee', 'role': 'Minister (Department of Justice and Equality)'} {'name': 'Robert Troy', 'role': 'Minister of State (Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment)'} {'name': 'Oonagh McPhillips', 'role': 'Deputy Secretary (Department of Justice and Equality)'} {'name': 'Oonagh Buckley', 'role': 'Deputy Secretary (Department of Justice and Equality)'}

Sphere 17 Regional Youth Service

September–December

[Children and Youth Affairs] As part of a wider 'Youth Work Changes Lives' campaign, coordinated by the National Youth Council of Ireland, Sphere 17 RYS management, staff and young people lobbied TD's in the Dublin Bay North Constituency for their support in our campaign to have youth sector funding increased by 7.5% in Budget 2021.

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Richard Bruton', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Seán Haughey', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Denise Mitchell', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Aodhán Ó Ríordáin', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': "Cian O'Callaghan", 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'}

Care Alliance Ireland

September–December

[EU Affairs] Request for Irish MEPs to encourage to join EU special interest group on informal care

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Ciarán Cuffe', 'role': 'MEP (European Parliament)'} {'name': 'Frances Fitzgerald', 'role': 'MEP (European Parliament)'} {'name': 'Clare Daly', 'role': 'MEP (European Parliament)'} {'name': 'Barry Andrews', 'role': 'MEP (European Parliament)'} {'name': 'Mairead McGuinness', 'role': 'MEP (European Parliament)'} {'name': 'Billy Kelleher', 'role': 'MEP (European Parliament)'} + 4 more

Vodafone Ireland

September–December

[Finance] Engagement to outline the unavailability of tax relief on the purchase of spectrum licenses, and Ireland's outlier status in its treatment of this asset compared to other EU countries.

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Derek Moran', 'role': 'Secretary General (Department of Finance)'} {'name': 'John Hogan', 'role': 'Assistant Secretary (Department of Finance)'} {'name': 'Ed Brophy', 'role': 'Special Adviser (Department of Finance)'}

County Carlow Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Tourism CLG

September–December

[Communications] Proper communication is key to businesses success and it is imperative that the government, its agents and agencies ensure that there is clear, timely and concise messages to ensure we can get through teh pandemic together

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Kathleen Funchion', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'}

County Carlow Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Tourism CLG

September–December

[Communications] Proper communication is key to businesses success and it is imperative that the government, its agents and agencies ensure that there is clear, timely and concise messages to ensure we can get through teh pandemic together

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': "Jennifer Murnane O'Connor", 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'}

Amazon Web Services

September–December

[Energy and Natural Resources] To provide an update on AWS's renewable energy investments, continued economic investment and willingness to engage with and support Ireland's clean energy transition

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Eamon Ryan', 'role': 'Minister (Department of Climate Action, Communication Networks and Transport)'}

Irish Petroleum Industry Association Ltd.

September–December

[Transport] Discussing arrangements for traffic management in and around Dublin Port in the context of Brexit

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Hildegarde Naughton', 'role': 'Super Junior Minister (Department of Climate Action, Communication Networks and Transport)'}

Vodafone Ireland

September–December

[Economic Development and Industry] Engagement to outline Vodafone's ongoing support in the response to the COVID-19 crisis, and a commitment to supporting the recovery of the economy and society; highlighting the opportunities presented by the National Economic Plan and the investment stimulus provided by the review of the National Development Plan to place the importance of digitalisation at its core.

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Leo Varadkar', 'role': 'An Tánaiste (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Orlaigh Quinn', 'role': 'Secretary General (Department of Business, Enterprise and Innovation)'} {'name': 'David Hegarty', 'role': 'Assistant Secretary (Department of Business, Enterprise and Innovation)'} {'name': 'Declan Hughes', 'role': 'Assistant Secretary (Department of Business, Enterprise and Innovation)'} {'name': "Philip O'Callaghan", 'role': 'Special Advisor (Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment)'} {'name': 'Micheál Martin', 'role': 'An Taoiseach (Department of the Taoiseach)'} + 13 more

Vodafone Ireland

September–December

[Economic Development and Industry] Engagement to outline Vodafone's ongoing support in the response to the COVID-19 crisis, and a commitment to supporting the recovery of the economy and society; highlighting the opportunities presented by the National Economic Plan and the investment stimulus provided by the review of the National Development Plan to place the importance of digitalisation at its core.

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Michael McGrath', 'role': 'Minister (Department of Public Expenditure and Reform)'} {'name': 'Robert Watt', 'role': 'Secretary General (Department of Public Expenditure and Reform)'} {'name': 'Kevin Barrett', 'role': 'Special Adviser (Department of Public Expenditure and Reform)'} {'name': 'Grant Sweetnam', 'role': 'Special Adviser (Department of Public Expenditure and Reform)'}

Vodafone Ireland

September–December

[Economic Development and Industry] Engagement to outline Vodafone's ongoing support in the response to the COVID-19 crisis, and a commitment to supporting the recovery of the economy and society; highlighting the opportunities presented by the National Economic Plan and the investment stimulus provided by the review of the National Development Plan to place the importance of digitalisation at its core.

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Eamon Ryan', 'role': 'Minister (Department of Climate Action, Communication Networks and Transport)'} {'name': 'Mark Griffin', 'role': 'Secretary General (Department of Environment, Climate and Communications)'} {'name': 'Ciarán Ó hÓbáin', 'role': 'Assistant Secretary (Department of Environment, Climate and Communications)'} {'name': 'John McDonald', 'role': 'Special Adviser (Department of Transport)'}

Association of Irish Local Government

September–December

[Local Government] Engagement with Minister to promote support services for elected members

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Cllr Michael Cahill (Currently employed as a DPO)', 'role': 'Councillor (Longford County Council)'} {'name': 'Cllrl Ann Colgan (Currently employed as a DPO)', 'role': 'Councillor (Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council)'} {'name': 'Peter Burke', 'role': 'Minister of State (Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage)'}

Association of Irish Local Government

September–December

[Local Government] 1) Presenting Minister with examples of Council Heritage Activity especially in supporting communities through the pandemic; 2) Discussing proposed electoral reform Bill;

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Cllr Mary Hoade (Currently employed as a DPO)', 'role': 'Councillor (Galway County Council)'} {'name': 'John Joe Fennelly (Currently employed as a DPO)', 'role': 'Councillor (Laois County Council)'} {'name': 'Malcolm Noonan', 'role': 'Minister of State (Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage)'}

Fórsa trade union

September–December

[Employment] Letter sent to Minister Helen McEntee asking her to consider the policy issues involved around seeking an increase in the age eligibility up to the age of 18th for the Parental Leave Act. Also seeking similar scheme to allow workers to care for their elderly relatives.

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Helen McEntee', 'role': 'Minister (Department of Justice and Equality)'}

Social Innovation Growth Fund Ireland Limited trading as Rethink Ireland.

September–December

[Children and Youth Affairs] Email to Minister Roderic O GORMAN requesting a meeting to discuss opportunities within the department and areas to engage- We intend to deepen our focus on Equality, Disability and Children & Youth in the coming years and seek a meeting to explore how we might partner with your department to do this. We raise philanthropic funds that may align with key initiatives in your department, including Better Outcomes Better Futures policy

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': "Roderic O'Gorman", 'role': 'Minister (Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth)'}

Fórsa trade union

September–December

[Public Expenditure and Reform] Letter sent to Minister for Finance asking him to consider the issue of the calculation of eligible pension years for civil and public servants, who have provided full-time or part-time care for a child under 12 or an ill or disabled person aged 12 over 12.

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Paschal Donohoe', 'role': 'Minister (Department of Finance)'}

Fórsa trade union

September–December

[Employment] Letter to the Minister for Health seeking him to consider the matter of giving statutory leave for employees engaged in medical and/or related treatments in relation to reproduction. The Minister was asked to liaise with relevant Cabinet colleagues with a view to putting such an arrangement in place.

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Stephen Donnelly', 'role': 'Minister (Department of Health)'}

Fórsa trade union

September–December

[Health] Letter to Minister for Health seeking a meeting with him and his officials on the deficits in support to carers, by restoring the budgets for Home Help, Home Care Package, Respite Care supports to carers, or else increase significantly the Carer Support Grant.

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Stephen Donnelly', 'role': 'Minister (Department of Health)'}

Irish Sudden Infant Death Association

September–December

[Health] Request for grant support to FirstLight to enable the organisation provide professional counselling and therapeutic support services to families in Ireland experiencing the sudden unexpected death of their children, in circumstances where the organisation provides these services free to bereaved families, where there are very limited State agency supports for such families, and where the HSE does not provide ant direct grant support to FirstLight.

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Simon Harris', 'role': 'Minister (Department of Further and Higher Education, Innovation and Science)'} {'name': 'Stephen Donnelly', 'role': 'Minister (Department of Health)'} {'name': 'Irene Winters', 'role': 'Councillor (Wicklow County Council)'} {'name': 'Susan Mitchell', 'role': 'Special Adviser (Department of Health)'}

Cavanagh Communications

on behalf of Yes (client not named)

September–December

[Children and Youth Affairs] 19/11/2020 – Prevention and Early Intervention Network News release: ‘Minister commits to greater use of prevention and early intervention to tackle disadvantage’ issued 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.'}

Foras Muiridhe na h-Eireann (Maritime Institute of Ireland)

September–December

[Heritage] Chairman Mr Conor Doyle, Mr Jochen Romstedt Deputy Chairman and Captain Sean O'Byrne Health & Safety Director of the Maritime Institute of Ireland met Ms Philomena Poole, CEO of Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Council, Ms Therese Langan, Director of Community and Cultural Development and Mr Dave Lawless, DLR Tourism Development on 14 October 2020.

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Philomena Poole', 'role': 'CEO (Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council)'} {'name': 'Therese Langan', 'role': 'Director of Services or Equivalent (Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council)'}

Hume Brophy

on behalf of Yes (client not named)

September–December

[Budgetary matters] Pre Budget Submission outlining measures which will enhance Ireland's digitisation agenda and in doing so aid Ireland's green recovery

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Michael McGrath', 'role': 'Minister (Department of Public Expenditure and Reform)'} {'name': 'Leo Varadkar', 'role': 'Minister (Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment)'} {'name': 'Simon Coveney', 'role': 'Minister (Department of Defence)'} {'name': 'Paschal Donohoe', 'role': 'Minister (Department of Finance)'} {'name': 'Eamon Ryan', 'role': 'Minister (Department of Climate Action, Communication Networks and Transport)'} {'name': 'Stephen Donnelly', 'role': 'Minister (Department of Health)'} + 1 more

Enniscorthy & District Chamber

September–December

[Development and Zoning] Met with the County Manager, Tom Enright, re-development of Old Dublin Road,Enniscorthy

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Tom Enright', 'role': 'Chief Executive Officer (Wexford County Council)'}

Lobbying Tracker

Most Lobbied TDs