Overwatch Report

Coalition 2030

May–August

[Communications] The Green Party's position on the Sustainable Development Goals & Ireland's commitments under Agenda 2030

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Eamon Ryan', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'}

National Adult Literacy Agency

May–August

[Education and Training] Adult literacy, numeracy and digital skills policy

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Joe McHugh', 'role': 'Minister (Department of Education and Skills)'} {'name': 'Frances Fitzgerald', 'role': 'MEP (European Parliament)'} {'name': 'Alice-Mary Higgins', 'role': 'Senator (Seanad)'} {'name': 'Ciaran Cuffe', 'role': 'Councillor (Dublin City Council)'} {'name': 'Clare Daly', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Éilis Ryan', 'role': 'Councillor (Dublin City Council)'} + 19 more

Amazon Web Services

May–August

[Economic Development and Industry] To provide an update to SDCC on AWS investment and community engagement initiatives in Tallaght

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Danny McLoughlin', 'role': 'Chief Executive Officer (South Dublin County Council)'}

Community Workers' Limited

May–August

[Community] CWI engaged with the Department of Rural and Community Development on the development of the National Social Enterprise Policy

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Bairbre Nic Aongusa', 'role': 'Assistant Secretary (Department of Rural and Community Development)'}

Private Hospitals Association

May–August

[Health] Engagement regarding the Slaintecare policy initiative.

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Laura Magahy', 'role': 'Director (Department of Health)'}

Restaurants Association of Ireland

May–August

[Tourism] Meeting with Minister of State Brendan Griffin to discuss areas of concern for restaurant sector: VAT rate for Tourism & Hospitality, Rural Taxi Scheme, Skills Shortage: work permits & apprenticeships, Insurance, Board of Fáilte Ireland

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Brendan Griffin', 'role': 'Minister of State (Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport)'}

Carlow Regional Youth Services Ltd

May–August

[Children and Youth Affairs] The impact of the new National Childcare Scheme on future funding for Afterschools provision for disadvantaged children and families. The goal of these projects is to support vulnerable children to successfully complete their primary school education and remain in mainstream education and training

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Katherine Zappone', 'role': 'Minister (Department of Children and Youth Affairs)'}

Irish Bookmakers Association

May–August

[Taxation] 100% Increase in betting tax introduced in budget 2019, has closed 35 betting shops and will cause thousands of job losses across Ireland, particularly Rural Ireland. This will have; a devastating effect on many families with unnecessary job losses, reduce tax receipts, reduce competition, force customers to bet with online operators, force customers to bet with illegal operators (with no customer protection or age verification processes) in areas where there is no other betting shop

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Email All Oireachtas Members', 'role': 'All Politicians were sent emails and letters throughout the period and since the last budget. Emails included figures relating to closures and potential closures, outlining the severe unintended consequences of applying a 100% increase in betting tax. It also shows that bookmakers effective tax rate now forces them they pay 10 times more in tax than profits made. We also provided copies of audited figures for some members which clearly shows the 100% increase plunges a successful business for over 40 years into a severe loss making situation. This will be replicated across the independent sector if the current 100% remains in place. Other various pieces of information was provided by the IBA summarising the economic activity of bookmakers in Ireland and listing the closures in towns across Ireland. The emails also requested a meeting to discuss the contents further.'} {'name': 'Email All Oireachtas Members', 'role': 'To inform politicians of the unintended consequences of the proposed amendment to Section 26 of the Gaming & Lotteries (Amendment bill) 2019. \nThere are some political concerns regarding foreign online operators offering a competing product in Ireland to the National lottery, however, if this amendment or a similar amendment were to be implemented as currently worded, it could have serious negative legal consequences and remove a product in existence for over 30 years which is entirely different from product offered by National Lottery and has had a different staking method. It would also commercially assist/benefit a monopoly supplier in Ireland by excluding competition and choice for Irish consumers and uses legislation to further increase profits for that monopoly.'} {'name': 'Robert Troy', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Joe Carey', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Paschal Donohoe', 'role': 'Minister (Department of Finance)'} {'name': 'Shane Ross', 'role': 'Minister (Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport)'} + 4 more

SIPTU - Services Industrial Professional Trade Union

May–August

[Employment] Amendment to the National Minimum Wage - Protection of Employees Tips Bill

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': "Willie O'Dea", 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Maurice Quinlivan', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': "Patrick O'Donovan", 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Paul Gavan', 'role': 'Senator (Seanad)'} {'name': "Kieran O'Donnell", 'role': 'Senator (Seanad)'} {'name': 'Kevin Humphreys', 'role': 'Senator (Seanad)'} + 25 more

Vodafone Ireland

May–August

[Communications] Discussion on the possible deployment of a street works solution to provide coverage in the direct vicinity of Botanic Road, with future decommissioning of Vodafone site at the Smurfit Print Works.

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Richard Shakespeare', 'role': 'Director of Services or Equivalent (Dublin City Council)'}

Vodafone Ireland

May–August

[Communications] Meeting to discuss streetworks solutions to provide coverage in densely populated areas and the potential to consider a pilot project involving 2-3 towns in the county.

Public Officials Lobbied

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

Q4PR

on behalf of Yes (client not named)

May–August

[Development and Zoning] Engagement with local authority members and Departmental officials on development plan.

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Stephen Lynam (Former DPO)', 'role': 'Special Adviser (Department of Public Expenditure and Reform)'} {'name': 'Maria Bailey', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': "Jack O'Donnell", 'role': 'Special Advisor (Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government)'} {'name': 'Ronan McMahon', 'role': 'Councillor (South Dublin County Council)'} {'name': 'Emer Higgins', 'role': 'Councillor (South Dublin County Council)'} {'name': 'Brian Lawlor', 'role': 'Councillor (South Dublin County Council)'} + 6 more

Wind Energy Ireland

May–August

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

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Stephen Lynam (Former DPO)', 'role': 'Special Adviser (Department of Finance)'} {'name': 'Eugene Murphy', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Jackie Cahill', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'James Browne', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Dara Calleary', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Paul Daly', 'role': 'Senator (Seanad)'} + 22 more

Q4PR

on behalf of Yes (client not named)

May–August

[Arts] Proposals to encourage writing in Ireland

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Stephen Lynam (Former DPO)', 'role': 'Special Adviser (Department of Public Expenditure and Reform)'} {'name': 'Ed Brophy', 'role': 'Special Adviser (Department of Finance)'} {'name': 'Cian Connaughton', 'role': 'Adviser to Minister (Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht)'} {'name': 'Ed Carty', 'role': 'Special Adviser (Department of Education and Skills)'} {'name': "Mark O'Doherty", 'role': 'Special Adviser (Department of Education and Skills)'} {'name': 'Paschal Donohoe', 'role': 'Minister (Department of Finance)'}

The Irish Farmers' Association - IFA

May–August

[Agriculture] 30-Month Age Limit - Exports to Japan

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Pat Deering', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Jackie Cahill', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Marcella Corcoran Kennedy', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Charlie McConalogue', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Lower House of the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Willie Penrose', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Thomas Pringle', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} + 6 more

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

May–August

[Heritage] Letter to Minister Josepha Madigan seeking to engage with her Department to explore a contribution to costs of a Strategic Plan for the National Maritime Museum

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Josepha Madigan', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'}

Ballyhoura Heritage and Environment CLG

May–August

[Community] Lobbying to encourage the Minister to encourage financial commitment from Coillte towards the upgrade and redevelopment of the Ballyhoura Mountain Bike facility

Public Officials Lobbied

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

Irish Association of Speech and Language Therapists

May–August

[Health] Letter to Minister Harris re: Regulated Professions (Health and Social Care) (Amendment) Bill 2019

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Simon Harris', 'role': 'Minister (Department of Health)'} {'name': 'Stephen Donnelly', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Bernard Durkan', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Michael Harty', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Alan Kelly', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': "Margaret Murphy O'Mahony", 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} + 2 more

The Irish Farmers' Association - IFA

May–August

[Heritage] Heritage Act 2018

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Danny Healy-Rae', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Michael Healy-Rae', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'John Brassil', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Martin Ferris', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Cian Connaughton', 'role': 'Adviser to Minister (Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht)'} {'name': 'Josepha Madigan', 'role': 'Minister (Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht)'} + 1 more

The Irish Farmers' Association - IFA

May–August

[Heritage] Ban on Lead Shot in Ammunition

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Andrew Doyle', 'role': 'Minister of State (Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine)'} {'name': 'Danny Healy-Rae', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Michael Healy-Rae', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'John Brassil', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Martin Ferris', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Pat Deering', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} + 1 more

The Irish Farmers' Association - IFA

May–August

[Agriculture] River Shannon - Maintenance Drainage Programme

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': "Kevin ‘Boxer' Moran", 'role': 'Minister of State (Department of Public Expenditure and Reform)'}

The Irish Farmers' Association - IFA

May–August

[Agriculture] Adaption of new technologies in the Irish Tillage Sector

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Michael Creed', 'role': 'Minister (Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine)'} {'name': 'Andrew Doyle', 'role': 'Minister of State (Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine)'} {'name': 'Pat Deering', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Bill Callanan', 'role': 'Chief Inspector (Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine)'}

The Irish Farmers' Association - IFA

May–August

[Heritage] Desiganted Land

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Josepha Madigan', 'role': 'Minister (Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht)'} {'name': 'Cian Connaughton', 'role': 'Adviser to Minister (Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht)'}

Consultative Committee of Accountancy Bodies Ireland

May–August

[Taxation] Response to public consultation Key Employee Engagement Programme (KEEP)

Public Officials Lobbied

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

Enclude

May–August

[Public Expenditure and Reform] We met with Government Chief Information Officer, to discuss how best to align the donated management information solution technology available to nonprofits providing social services with state information systems

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Barry Lowry', 'role': 'Chief Information Officer (Department of Public Expenditure and Reform)'}

Banking & Payments Federation Ireland

May–August

[Banking and Financial Institutions] Provided information on issue of EU single mortgage market

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Billy Kelleher', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Anne Rabbitte', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'}

Banking & Payments Federation Ireland

May–August

[Banking and Financial Institutions] Discuss impact of Separation on Mortgage Arrears

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Michael McGrath', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'}

Banking & Payments Federation Ireland

May–August

[Banking and Financial Institutions] Basel 3 engagement

Public Officials Lobbied

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

Society of St. Vincent de Paul

May–August

[Budgetary matters] SVP advocacy and engagement (meetings, letters and mass mail out) with members of the Oireachtas on our pre-budget proposals regarding education, housing, energy, social protection and health expenditure

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Letter All Oireachtas Members', 'role': "Mailout of a hardcopy of SVP's pre-budget submission on the 1st of July 2019"} {'name': 'Maria Bailey', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'John Brady', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'John Curran', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': "Fiona O'Loughlin", 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Bríd Smith', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} + 6 more

Nursing Homes Ireland

May–August

[Health] Engagement with regard to the need to address the ageing population in the context of the forthcoming budget and continued delay and failure by the NTPF and Department of Health to publish the review of Fair Deal pricing mechanism.

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Micheál Martin', 'role': 'Taoiseach (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Stephen Donnelly', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Mary Butler', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'}

Lobbying Tracker

Most Lobbied TDs