Overwatch Report

Society of St. Vincent de Paul

September–December

[Social Protection] Engagement with elected officials and senior civil servants regarding the implementation of the Roadmap for Social Inclusion

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Brian Carroll', 'role': 'Assistant Secretary (Department of Environment, Climate and Communications)'} {'name': 'Carol Baxter', 'role': 'Assistant Secretary (Department of Justice and Equality)'} {'name': 'Bairbre Nic Aongusa', 'role': 'Assistant Secretary (Department of Rural and Community Development)'} {'name': "Joe O'Brien", 'role': 'Minister of State (Department of Rural and Community Development)'}

Pender & Associates Ltd

on behalf of Yes (client not named)

September–December

[Economic Development and Industry] Engagement regarding the pandemic and the hospitality sector

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Deirdre Gillane', 'role': 'Chief of Staff (Department of the Taoiseach)'} {'name': 'Brian Murphy', 'role': 'Chief of Staff (Department of the Taoiseach)'} {'name': 'Alan Ahearne', 'role': 'Economic Adviser (Department of the Taoiseach)'} {'name': 'Micheál Martin', 'role': 'An Taoiseach (Department of the Taoiseach)'}

Society of St. Vincent de Paul

September–December

[Children and Youth Affairs] Engagement with elected officials and senior civil servants as part of the National One Parent Family Alliance regarding the provision of supports for one-parent families impacted by the COVID-19 Pandemic

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Simon Harris', 'role': 'Minister (Department of Further and Higher Education, Innovation and Science)'} {'name': 'Heather Humphreys', 'role': 'Minister (Department of Social Protection)'} {'name': "Roderic O'Gorman", 'role': 'Minister (Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth)'} {'name': 'Patrick Costello', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Cathal Crowe', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Joe Flaherty', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} + 30 more

Society of St. Vincent de Paul

September–December

[Housing] Submission and presentation to the Committee on Housing, Local Government and Heritage on the findings of the joint SVP and Threshold research on the Housing Assistance Payment

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Francis Noel Duffy', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Thomas Gould', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Emer Higgins', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Steven Matthews', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Paul McAuliffe', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': "Cian O'Callaghan", 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} + 2 more

Environmental Pillar

September–December

[Environment] Planning and Development Bill 2020: Highlighted concerns regarding public participation rights and compliance with the EU Directives and Aarhus Convention, given proposed permanent changes to the provisions on meetings in the initial stages of the County Development Plan process, in addition to the sweeping powers provided to vary statutory time limits in a range of legislation, including across administrative areas in light of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Ivana Bacik', 'role': 'Senator (Seanad)'} {'name': 'Victor Boyhan', 'role': 'Senator (Seanad)'} {'name': 'Lynn Boylan', 'role': 'Senator (Seanad)'} {'name': 'Alice-Mary Higgins', 'role': 'Senator (Seanad)'} {'name': 'Lynn Ruane', 'role': 'Senator (Seanad)'} {'name': 'Rebecca Moynihan', 'role': 'Senator (Seanad)'} + 9 more

Irish Senior Citizens Parliament

September–December

[Health] Meeting with Minister Mary Butler (Mental health & Older People) and the Age Alliance NGO's

Public Officials Lobbied

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

Community Law & Mediation

September–December

[Housing] Submission to the Department of Housing, Local Government & Heritage in relation to its Statement of Strategy

Public Officials Lobbied

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

Environmental Pillar

September–December

[Marine] Heads of the Marine Planning and Development Management Bill - raised key concerns including: key EU Directive and Aarhus Convention considerations; protection of the marine environment and biodiversity in relation to the development of renewable energy infrastructure projects; nature of jobs which would be realised locally and circular economy concerns; constitutional compliance of the Heads of Bill, as well as the Spatial Planning Directive. Highlighted importance of pre-legislative s

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Eoin Ó Broin', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Victor Boyhan', 'role': 'Senator (Seanad)'} {'name': "Cian O'Callaghan", 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Steven Matthews', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Francis Noel Duffy', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'}

Environmental Pillar

September–December

[Foreign Affairs] Notified Government of the detention of environmental rights activist in Belarus, Ms Sukihy. Sought immediate engagement of Irish authorities to clarify details surrounding her detention and secure her release, noting concerns in relation to the Aarhus Convention and human rights treaties protecting environmental defenders and civil society leaders.

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Micheál Martin', 'role': 'An Taoiseach (Department of the Taoiseach)'} {'name': 'Simon Coveney', 'role': 'Minister (Department of Foreign Affairs)'}

Environmental Pillar

September–December

[Foreign Affairs] Notified Government of the detention of environmental rights activist in Belarus, Ms Sukihy. Sought immediate engagement of Irish authorities to clarify details surrounding her detention and secure her release, noting concerns in relation to the Aarhus Convention and human rights treaties protecting environmental defenders and civil society leaders.

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Eamon Ryan', 'role': 'Minister (Department of Climate Action, Communication Networks and Transport)'} {'name': 'Michael Gaffey', 'role': 'Assistant Secretary (Department of Foreign Affairs)'}

Environmental Pillar

September–December

[Foreign Affairs] Notified Government of the detention of environmental rights activist in Belarus, Ms Sukihy. Sought immediate engagement of Irish authorities to clarify details surrounding her detention and secure her release, noting concerns in relation to the Aarhus Convention and human rights treaties protecting environmental defenders and civil society leaders.

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Eamon Ryan', 'role': 'Minister (Department of Climate Action, Communication Networks and Transport)'} {'name': 'Michael Gaffey', 'role': 'Assistant Secretary (Department of Foreign Affairs)'}

Image Learning and Development Training Network, company Limited by Guarantee T/A HABIC

September–December

[Economic Development and Industry] Pre Budget Submission

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Derek Moran', 'role': 'Secretary General (Department of Finance)'} {'name': 'Michael J. McGrath', 'role': 'Assistant Secretary (Department of Finance)'} {'name': 'Paschal Donohoe', 'role': 'Minister (Department of Finance)'} {'name': 'Robert Watt', 'role': 'Secretary General (Department of Public Expenditure and Reform)'} {'name': 'John McGuinness', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Neasa Hourigan', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'}

Image Learning and Development Training Network, company Limited by Guarantee T/A HABIC

September–December

[Economic Development and Industry] Reopening of the Personal Grooming Industry

Public Officials Lobbied

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

Image Learning and Development Training Network, company Limited by Guarantee T/A HABIC

September–December

[Economic Development and Industry] Reopening of the Personal Grooming and Issues around COVID-19

Public Officials Lobbied

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

Image Learning and Development Training Network, company Limited by Guarantee T/A HABIC

September–December

[Economic Development and Industry] Lobbied to have the 9% Vat rate extended to both the beauty and hair industry, justification was requested as to why the beauty industry has not been granted the 9% VAT rate in the budget alongside hairdressing. Additional clarification was requested upon receipt of the rationale given.

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Declan Hughes', 'role': 'Assistant Secretary (Department of Business, Enterprise and Innovation)'} {'name': 'Pascal Dohoghue', 'role': 'Minister (Department of Finance)'} {'name': 'Michael McGrath', 'role': 'Minister (Department of Public Expenditure and Reform)'} {'name': 'Robert Watt', 'role': 'Secretary General (Department of Public Expenditure and Reform)'} {'name': 'Damien English', 'role': 'Minister of State (Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government)'} {'name': 'Leo Varadkar', 'role': 'Minister (Department of Defence)'} + 10 more

Benefacts

September–December

[Public Expenditure and Reform] Annual senior briefing by Benefacts Chair and Snr. Management to Department of Public Expenditure and Reform

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Lucy Fallon-Byrne', 'role': 'Assistant Secretary (Department of Public Expenditure and Reform)'}

Macra na Feirme

September–December

[Education and Training] Macra na Feirme Press Release engagement between Minister McConalogue and Harris welcome on funds for Ag Students

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Email All Oireachtas Members', 'role': 'Sent Wednesday 2nd Sept'}

Garda Representative Association

September–December

[Justice and Equality] The requirement for a statutory instrument to hold the GRA Annual delegate conference. Wages being paid to trainee gardai while on pkacement at garda stations.

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Helen McEntee', 'role': 'Minister (Department of Justice and Equality)'} {'name': 'Norma Foley', 'role': 'Minister (Department of Education)'} {'name': 'Charlie McConalogue', 'role': 'Minister (Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine)'} {'name': 'Heather Humphreys', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Heather Humphreys', 'role': 'Minister (Department of Business, Enterprise and Innovation)'} {'name': 'Joe McHugh', 'role': 'Minister of State (Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht)'} + 4 more

Macra na Feirme

September–December

[Agriculture] Macra na Feirme Press Release Role of Agriculture, risk of carbon leakage and Biogenic Methane in tackling climate change

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Email All Oireachtas Members', 'role': 'Sent Thursday 8/10/20'}

Christine Buckley Centre for Education and Support CLG

September–December

[Justice and Equality] Commission of Inquiry into Mother and Baby Homes and Certain Related Matters: The Christine Buckley Centre among other agencies working together contacted all depts of the Oireachtas on 5th October and released a press statement in light of the upcoming report release. They launched the Facing The Future Together Report to highlight issues and identified 5 key asks for all Survivors. Our Co-Founder was interviewed on the launch via webinar 9th October and via press.

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Email All Oireachtas Members', 'role': 'A General email was sent out to promote the Facing the Future Together Report alongside the press release which was issued by the working Group formed after a conference in 2019 by our Co Founder Carmel McDonnell Byrne and the Manager of the Christine Buckley Centre, Caranua, Right of Place Second Chance, HSE, One in Four, Towards Healing, Barnardos Origins.'} {'name': "Roderic O'Gorman", 'role': 'Minister (Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth)'}

Irish Environmental Network

September–December

[Foreign Affairs] Notified Government of the detention of environmental rights activist in Belarus, Ms Sukihy. Sought immediate engagement of Irish authorities to clarify details surrounding her detention and secure her release, noting concerns in relation to the Aarhus Convention and human rights treaties protecting environmental defenders and civil society leaders.

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Eamon Ryan', 'role': 'Minister (Department of Climate Action, Communication Networks and Transport)'} {'name': 'Simon Coveney', 'role': 'Minister (Department of Foreign Affairs)'} {'name': 'Michael Gaffey', 'role': 'Assistant Secretary (Department of Foreign Affairs)'} {'name': 'David Healy', 'role': 'Special Adviser (Department of Climate Action, Communication Networks and Transport)'}

Irish Road Haulage Association

September–December

[Transport] Budget 2021 Submission

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Email All TDs', 'role': ''}

Prosper Fingal CLG

September–December

[Health] Email to Darragh O Brien, TD outlining the Section 39 status urgent need for pay parity with Section 38 agencies, as the recruitment and retention of staff becoming a significant challenge.

Public Officials Lobbied

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

Irish Road Haulage Association

September–December

[Transport] Low Carbon Emissions

Public Officials Lobbied

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

Irish Road Haulage Association

September–December

[Transport] Green Agenda

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Malcolm Noonan', 'role': 'Minister of State (Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage)'} {'name': 'Steven Matthews', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Paschal Donohoe', 'role': 'Minister (Department of Finance)'} {'name': 'Marc Ó Cathasaigh', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Neasa Hourigan', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Catherine Martin', 'role': 'Minister (Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media)'}

Irish Road Haulage Association

September–December

[Transport] Brexit - Lack of Information; Covid & Ferries; Budget; RSA

Public Officials Lobbied

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

Irish Road Haulage Association

September–December

[Transport] Brexit & the Land Bridge

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Leo Varadkar', 'role': 'An Tánaiste (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'}

Irish Road Haulage Association

September–December

[Transport] Operation Fanacht; Garda Checkpoints

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Micheál Martin', 'role': 'An Taoiseach (Department of the Taoiseach)'}

Irish Road Haulage Association

September–December

[Transport] Budget 2021; Brexit; Carbon Tax Increase; Diesel Rebate

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Paschal Donohoe', 'role': 'Minister (Department of Finance)'} {'name': 'Micheál Martin', 'role': 'An Taoiseach (Department of the Taoiseach)'} {'name': 'Leo Varadkar', 'role': 'An Tánaiste (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Eamon Ryan', 'role': 'Minister (Department of Climate Action, Communication Networks and Transport)'} {'name': 'Hildegarde Naughton', 'role': 'Super Junior Minister (Department of Climate Action, Communication Networks and Transport)'}

Irish Road Haulage Association

September–December

[Transport] Brexit; Covid

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Hildegarde Naughton', 'role': 'Super Junior Minister (Department of Climate Action, Communication Networks and Transport)'} {'name': 'Ken Spratt', 'role': 'Assistant Secretary (Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport)'}

Lobbying Tracker

Most Lobbied TDs