Overwatch Report

The Union of Students in Ireland

September–December

[Gaeltacht] The Gaeilge4All campaign and the need for reform of Irish in the Education system from pre-school through to third level. The introduction of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages as a basis for a comprehensive policy on how Irish should be taught in English medium schools. Funding for more courses through Irish at third level to ensure target of 20% of civil service recruits to be fluent in Irish in accordance with Bille na dTeangacha Oifigiúla.

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Ruairí Ó Murchú', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Mary Lou McDonald', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': "Fergus O'Dowd", 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Ged Nash', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Erin McGreehan', 'role': 'Senator (Seanad)'}

Third Age

September–December

[Health] Third Age is part of the alliance of Age Sector NGO's working together to address the key issues facing older people. Key priorities - shared and agreed policy positions; - a whole of Government approach to ageing. - involve relevant supports in areas such as housing and home care so that older people are better placed to age with dignity and die close to family and community. - Recognition and monitored strategies to combat ageism at the level of the institution and in public discourse

Public Officials Lobbied

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

Uplift

September–December

[Environment] Uplift members emailed the Minister of Agriculture Food and the Marine Charlie McGonologue asking him to address the damage being caused by supertrawlers oceans and sea life, particularly Article 50 to allow for CCTV on vessels “identified as posing a high risk of non-compliance with the landing obligation” and asking him to support the proposed changes that will enhance regulation of large fishing vessels who are currently managing to evade scrutiny and oversight.

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Charlie McConalogue', 'role': 'Minister (Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine)'}

Crosscare

September–December

[Food] Yvonne Fleming, Senior Manager, Crosscare, emailed and met (virtually) with Minister Joe O' Brien in relation to food poverty and food banks specifically

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': "Joe O'Brien", 'role': 'Minister of State (Department of Rural and Community Development)'}

Uplift

September–December

[Housing] Uplift members emailed the Minister of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Darragh O'Brien asking that public homes be built on the public land at Oscar Traynor Road in Dublin.

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': "Darragh O'Brien", 'role': 'Minister (Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage)'}

Ibec

September–December

[Employment] EU Minimum Wage Recommendation, including a collective bargaining provision

Public Officials Lobbied

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

The Alternative Investment Management Association Limited

September–December

[EU Affairs] AIFMD Review and ELTIF Review

Public Officials Lobbied

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

Irish Offshore Operators' Association CLG

September–December

[Energy and Natural Resources] Letter to Seán Kelly (25th November), MEP, regarding the Climate Action and Low Carbon Development (Amendment) Bill 2020 which would allow Carbon Caption and Storage in Ireland

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Seán Kelly', 'role': 'MEP (European Parliament)'}

Law Society of Ireland

September–December

[Justice and Equality] Covid-19 - Ongoing engagement with the Courts Service

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Angela Denning', 'role': 'Chief Executive Officer (The Courts Service)'}

Womens Aid

September–December

[Justice and Equality] Recommended amendments to the Report Stage of the Harassment, Harmful Communications and Related Offences Bill 2017 [63a of 2017] from Women's Aid in association with the Dublin Rape Crisis Centre, NWCI and Haven Horizons (Members of the Irish Observatory on Violence Against Women).

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Helen McEntee', 'role': 'Minister (Department of Justice)'} {'name': 'Michael Creed', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Jennifer Carroll MacNeill', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Patrick Costello', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Pa Daly', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Brendan Howlin', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} + 19 more

Túath Housing Association

September–December

[Housing] Barry Quinlan spoke to the board and senior management team at Tuath's annual planning day on 3rd September 2020.

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Barry Quinlan', 'role': 'Assistant Secretary (Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government)'}

Limerick Youth Service

September–December

[Education and Training] Request support for the continuation of Limerick Youth Service Ability Programme after the current programme funding deadline of July 2021. Ability Programme support young people with disabilities between the ages of 15 and 24 with a mental health condition, a hidden disability or an autistic spectrum disorder. They are supported to take up employment or enter further education and to develop personally, economically and socially to meet their needs and realise their f

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Niall Collins', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': "Kieran O'Donnell", 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': "Richard O'Donoghue", 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': "Patrick O'Donovan", 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': "Willie O'Dea", 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Brian Leddin', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} + 1 more

Plan International Ireland

September–December

[Children and Youth Affairs] Invitation to Minister for Children, Disability, Equality & Integration to engage in an event for International Day of the Girl campaign 2020

Public Officials Lobbied

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

Chambers Ireland

September–December

[Employment] EWSS/TWSS wage support schemes

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Micheál Martin', 'role': 'An Taoiseach (Department of the Taoiseach)'} {'name': 'Leo Varadkar', 'role': 'An Tánaiste (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Michael McGrath', 'role': 'Minister (Department of Public Expenditure and Reform)'} {'name': 'Stephen Donnelly', 'role': 'Minister (Department of Health)'} {'name': 'Heather Humphreys', 'role': 'Minister (Department of Social Protection)'} {'name': 'Paschal Donohoe', 'role': 'Minister (Department of Finance)'}

Chambers Ireland

September–December

[Energy and Natural Resources] Marine Panning and Development Management Bill

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Eoin Ó Broin', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'}

iCare Housing CLG

September–December

[Housing] Mortgage-to-Rent scheme

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': "Darragh O'Brien", 'role': 'Minister (Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage)'}

Association of Optometrists Ireland

September–December

[Health] 26/11/20 – AOI sent an email and letter to newly appointed Assistant General Secretary Colm O’Reardon at the Department of Health to set out key issues and agenda of Optometrists.

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Letter All TDs', 'role': "Briefing communication re 'eye-care policy issues' posted to all TDs."} {'name': 'Colm O’Reardon', 'role': 'Secretary General (Department of Health)'}

Fórsa trade union

September–December

[Education and Training] Correspondence and phone calls as part of the Fórsa campaign to regularise the employment status and conditions of school secretaries employed by school Board of Management and paid via the ancillary grant.

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Gary Gannon', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Aodhán Ó Ríordáin', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': "Pauline O'Reilly", 'role': 'Senator (Seanad)'} {'name': 'Norma Foley', 'role': 'Minister (Department of Education)'} {'name': 'Catherine Martin', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Thomas Byrne', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} + 2 more

Ervia

September–December

[Energy and Natural Resources] Shared Ervia perspectives on the decarbonisation agenda and climate policy

Public Officials Lobbied

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

Nursing Homes Ireland

September–December

[Health] Engagement with Department of Health official re guidance issued relating to visitations to long-term residential care facilities.

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Kathleen MacLellan', 'role': 'Assistant Secretary (Department of Health)'}

Nursing Homes Ireland

September–December

[Health] Engagement with Minister for Health re extension of Temporary Assistance Payment Scheme (TAPS) in the context of Nursing Homes Expert Panel recommendations

Public Officials Lobbied

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

Nursing Homes Ireland

September–December

[Health] Engagement with Department of Health official re Temporary Assistance Payment Scheme (TAPS)

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Kathleen MacLellan', 'role': 'Assistant Secretary (Department of Health)'}

Nursing Homes Ireland

September–December

[Health] Letter to Minister for Health re the need for continuation of Temporary Assistance Payment Scheme post original schedule deadline of September 30th to ensure nursing homes continue to have substantive costs to manage and prevent Covid19 recognised in their day-to-day efforts to protect nursing home residents and staff from the virus

Public Officials Lobbied

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

The Victims Alliance

September–December

[Justice and Equality] Lobby for image-based sexual abuse amendments to the Harassment, Harmfull communications and other related offences bill 2017 ahead of Committee stage

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Bríd Smith', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Paul Murphy', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Gary Gannon', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Holly Cairns', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Thomas Pringle', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Richard Boyd Barrett', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} + 1 more

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

September–December

[Justice and Equality] To keep domestic violence as a priority issue in the programme for government and during the Covid-19 national pandemic.

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Email All Senators', 'role': 'Email on the 23rd of November to all Senators in advance of Statements on DSGBV in the Seanad with the Safe Ireland ‘Tracking the Shadow Report’, Press Release and letter highlighting our concerns and seeking support for additional funding for DSGBV, resourcing of a National Services Development Plan and infrastructural modernisation of the DSGBV sector in Ireland.'}

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

September–December

[Justice and Equality] Safe Ireland’s Commentary on Amendments to the Harassment, Harmful Communications and Related Offences Bill 2017.

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Email All Oireachtas Members', 'role': 'Sent by email on 7th of December to all TDs Safe Ireland’s Commentary on Amendments to the Harassment, Harmful Communications and Related Offences Bill 2017. \nSent by email on 8th of December to all Senators Safe Ireland’s Commentary on Amendments to the Harassment, Harmful Communications and Related Offences Bill 2017.'} {'name': "Jim O'Callaghan", 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Catherine Connolly', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Thomas Pringle', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Pa Daly', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'James Lawless', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} + 2 more

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

September–December

[Justice and Equality] Meetings with the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration & Youth and with the Minister for Justice to discuss a whole of government response to DSGBV in Ireland.

Public Officials Lobbied

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

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

September–December

[Justice and Equality] Meeting with Mary Lou McDonald TD to brief her on the current work of Safe Ireland and the priority needs of the DSGBV sector in Ireland.

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Mary Lou McDonald', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'}

Freight Transport Association of Ireland

September–December

[Transport] FTA Ireland Introduction / Managers Guide to Distribution / Brexit

Public Officials Lobbied

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

Tralee Chamber Alliance

September–December

[Local Government] Engagement with Kerry County Council in relation to community support funding for 2020 and 2021.

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Michael Scannell', 'role': 'Director of Services or Equivalent (Kerry County Council)'}

Lobbying Tracker

Most Lobbied TDs