Overwatch Report

National Federation of Voluntary Service Providers Supporting People with Intellectual Disability

May–August

[Budgetary matters] National Federation's Pre Budget Campaign 2020 was organised to support our 59 member organisations in making their elected representatives aware of the significant unmet needs and funding crisis affecting people with intellectual disabilities, their families and the service provider organisations that support them.

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Meeting All TDs', 'role': 'All member organisations were emailed with supporting materials - a short infographic and a document of case studies to highlight the effects of funding deficits'} {'name': 'John Dolan', 'role': 'Senator (Seanad)'} {'name': 'Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'}

Airbnb Ireland UC

May–August

[Housing] To engage with the Department re: awareness raising of the regulations with host community

Public Officials Lobbied

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

Alcohol Awareness Foundation Limited

May–August

[Health] No specific public policy or area was discussed, the meeting just an introduction to Drinkaware, our work as an independent NGO, and our new CEO

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Alan Farrell', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Bernard Durkan', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Tony McLoughlin', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'}

National Principals' Forum

September–December

[Education and Training] Raising awareness of the issues maligning the Primary Education system, particularly the unsustainable pressures on Principal teachers and also the inadequate provisions and funding for meeting the needs of pupils with Special Education Needs in our schools.

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Email All Oireachtas Members', 'role': "Budget 2020 Lobby Campaign material was emailed to Principal teachers to lobby their local representatives. This information and also our research results were emailed to Minister McHugh, TD'S, Senators and also all education stakeholders and representative bodies. It was also sent to the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills."} {'name': 'Joe McHugh', 'role': 'Minister (Department of Education and Skills)'}

Womens Aid

September–December

[Justice and Equality] Creating awareness of Femicide in the Republic of Ireland and issuing recommendations on media reporting of intimate partner femicide and also to the Independent Study on Famicilide and Domestic Homicide Reviews

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Email All Oireachtas Members', 'role': 'Email invite to our event Femicide Watch 2019 Republic of Ireland on 22/11/19. Also emailed Press Release and copy of the Femicide Report 2019'} {'name': "Jim O'Callaghan", 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Alice-Mary Higgins', 'role': 'Senator (Seanad)'}

Womens Aid

September–December

[Justice and Equality] To promote awareness of women who have suffered domestic abuse and their experiences within the Irish Criminal Justice System

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Email All Oireachtas Members', 'role': "Invitation to TDs and Senators to attend the launch of Women's Aid report 'Unheard and Uncounted; Women, Domestic Abuse and The Irish Criminal Justice System' on 26/09/19\nMedia Release and link to the Full Report and Executive Summary emailed to all Oireachtas Members"} {'name': 'Ivana Bacik', 'role': 'Senator (Seanad)'} {'name': 'Regina Doherty', 'role': 'Minister (Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection)'}

National Association of Principals and Deputy Principals

September–December

[Education and Training] To officially launch College Awareness Week.

Public Officials Lobbied

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

Fórsa trade union

September–December

[Heritage] Raising awareness of the Fórsa Archivists' Branch report on the management of the national archives and seeking to draw the Ministers of Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform; and Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltachts' attention to the reports recommendations. This Includes an increase in staffing; the completion of the archive respository project; the provision of adequate staff and resources to facilitate implementation of the 20 year rule and reform of the National Archives Act 198

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Josepha Madigan', 'role': 'Minister (Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht)'} {'name': 'Paschal Donohoe', 'role': 'Minister (Department of Public Expenditure and Reform)'}

Center for Independent Living

September–December

[Justice and Equality] Requesting that councillors bring forward a motion at Local Authority level to support a right to Personal Assistance based on the Motion carried by the Dail on 19th November to raise awareness of the issue of Personal Assistance at a local level and build cross party support for Disabled People's rights

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Colette Connolly', 'role': 'Councillor (Galway City Council)'} {'name': 'Frank Fahy', 'role': 'Councillor (Galway City Council)'} {'name': 'Mike Cubbard', 'role': 'Councillor (Galway City Council)'} {'name': "Terry O'Flaherty", 'role': 'Councillor (Galway City Council)'} {'name': 'Donal Lyons', 'role': 'Councillor (Galway City Council)'} {'name': 'Declan McDonnell', 'role': 'Councillor (Galway City Council)'} + 22 more

Dublin Rape Crisis Centre

September–December

[Local Government] Brief on matters of concern to DRCC, in particular working to eliminate the tolerance of sexual violence through awareness raising within the remit of Dublin City Council

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Paul McAuliffe', 'role': 'Councillor (Dublin City Council)'}

Migrant Rights Centre Ireland

September–December

[Justice and Equality] Invitation to sponsor MRCI biennial gala fundraiser which raises awareness of our work and raises vital funds for it

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Email All TDs', 'role': 'Invitation to sponsor add in MRCI Gala Fundraiser brochure Nov 2020'} {'name': 'Email All Senators', 'role': 'Invitation to sponsor add in MRCI Gala Fundraiser brochure Nov 2020'}

Tiber Island Advisory Ltd

on behalf of Yes (client not named)

September–December

[Environment] Climate action in transport, raising awareness of the benefits of E10 petrol which would bring the climate benefits of 100,000 electric cars overnight at no cost to consumer or exchequer.

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Hildegarde Naughton', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Timmy Dooley', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Eamon Ryan', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'John Lahart', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Máire Devine', 'role': 'Senator (Seanad)'} {'name': 'Alice-Mary Higgins', 'role': 'Senator (Seanad)'}

Irish Heart Foundation

September–December

[Health] Hypertension awareness

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Simon Harris', 'role': 'Minister (Department of Health)'} {'name': 'Laura Magahy', 'role': 'Executive Manager (Department of Health)'}

Insurance Ireland

September–December

[Banking and Financial Institutions] On behalf of members, to raise awareness amongst MEPs of issues pertinent to the Irish insurance industry.

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Frances Fitzgerald', 'role': 'MEP (European Parliament)'} {'name': 'Billy Kelleher', 'role': 'MEP (European Parliament)'} {'name': 'Barry Andrews', 'role': 'MEP (European Parliament)'}

Family Carers Ireland

September–December

[Children and Youth Affairs] Young Carers awareness

Public Officials Lobbied

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

Insurance Ireland

September–December

[Banking and Financial Institutions] On behalf of members, to raise awareness amongst MEPs of issues in relation to the EU Sustainable Finance Package

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': "Grace O'Sullivan", 'role': 'MEP (European Parliament)'} {'name': 'Ciarán Cuffe', 'role': 'MEP (European Parliament)'}

Waterford Leader Partnership CLG

September–December

[Community] Make aware of application to Rural Regeneration Fund.

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Paudie Coffey', 'role': 'Senator (Seanad)'}

Dublin Rape Crisis Centre

September–December

[Justice and Equality] Brief on matters of interest to DRCC in particular 'No Excuses' national awareness campaign on sexual harassment / violence

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Caroline Murphy', 'role': 'Special Adviser (Department of Justice and Equality)'}

Northside Partnership

September–December

[Employment] In meeting with Minister Richard Bruton and his Assistant Jenny McCormack, Northside Partnership's CEO, Director of Services and Local Employment Services Co-ordinator sought to raise concerns with regard to the future provision of community based local employment services and their potential outsourcing through a public procurement process. In particular NSP representatives sought to raise awareness of the benefits of person centred, community-based services in assisting long term

Public Officials Lobbied

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

Alcohol Action Ireland

September–December

[Health] Raise awareness of alcohol related harms and the socio-economic cost to society.

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Stephen Donnelly', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Eamon Ryan', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Alan Kelly', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Róisín Shorthall', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': "Louise O'Reilly", 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Leo Varadkar', 'role': 'Taoiseach (Department of the Taoiseach)'} + 17 more

Chubb European Group SE

September–December

[Banking and Financial Institutions] Raise awareness on behalf of the Alliance of Affordable Insurance for International Students (AAIIS), of which Chubb is a member, regarding the prohibition of non-community rated student medical insurance, the result of which is an increased financial burden and (likely) decreased protection for international students who wish to study in Ireland.

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Seán Ó Foghlú', 'role': 'Secretary General (Department of Education and Skills)'} {'name': 'Jim Breslin', 'role': 'Secretary General (Department of Health)'} {'name': "Aidan O'Driscoll", 'role': 'Secretary General (Department of Justice and Equality)'}

Raidió Teilifís Éireann

September–December

[Communications] Meetings regarding reforming RTÉ for a sustainable future and raising awareness of the challenges facing public service broadcasting.

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Former Senator Martin Mackin (Former DPO)', 'role': 'Senator (Seanad)'} {'name': 'Mark Griffin', 'role': 'Secretary General (Department of Environment, Climate and Communications)'} {'name': 'Mary Lou McDonald', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'David Cullinane', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Richard Bruton', 'role': 'Minister (Department of Environment, Climate and Communications)'} {'name': 'Patrick Cluskey', 'role': 'Special Adviser (Department of Environment, Climate and Communications)'} + 7 more

Retailers Against Smuggling

September–December

[Finance] Letter to bring to raise awareness of an amendment to the Finance Act which would alter the definition of ‘officer’ to include a member of An Garda Síochána

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Charles Flanagan', 'role': 'Minister (Department of Justice and Equality)'} {'name': 'Gerry Horkan', 'role': 'Senator (Seanad)'}

Work Equal CLG

September–December

[Employment] Raise awareness of Dress for Success work generally, build support for policies supporting female leadership and gender equality

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Leo Varadkar', 'role': 'An Taoiseach (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': "Mary Mitchell O'Connor", 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'}

South Dublin Chamber

September–December

[Economic Development and Industry] Awareness of Business Challanges

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Vicki Casserly', 'role': 'Councillor (South Dublin County Council)'} {'name': 'Dermot Richardson', 'role': 'Councillor (South Dublin County Council)'} {'name': 'Eoin Ó Broin', 'role': 'Councillor (South Dublin County Council)'} {'name': 'Emer Higgins', 'role': 'Councillor (South Dublin County Council)'} {'name': 'Baby Pereppadan', 'role': 'Councillor (South Dublin County Council)'} {'name': "Charlie O'Connor", 'role': 'Councillor (South Dublin County Council)'} + 1 more

Alcohol Awareness Foundation Limited

September–December

[Health] Follow up correspondence regarding Maynooth University's independent research on alcohol education programme

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Alan Farrell', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Seán Sherlock', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Catherine Noone', 'role': 'Senator (Seanad)'} {'name': 'Maria Byrne', 'role': 'Senator (Seanad)'} {'name': 'Bernard Durkan', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Joan Freeman', 'role': 'Senator (Seanad)'} + 1 more

The Wheel

September–December

[EU Affairs] We met with Minister Helen McEntee to discuss initiatives to support the community and voluntary sector to maximise people's awareness of, and participation in, relevant European programmes and initiatives

Public Officials Lobbied

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

Q4PR

on behalf of Yes (client not named)

September–December

[Communications] To raise awareness of the challenges facing public service broadcasting.

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Martin Mackin (Former DPO)', 'role': 'Senator (Seanad)'} {'name': 'Eamon Ryan', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'David Cullinane', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Brendan Howlin', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'}

Age Action

September–December

[Health] Importance of investing in both home supports and adequate awareness raising on forthcoming Assisted Decision Making legislation.

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Colm Desmond', 'role': 'Assistant Secretary (Department of Health)'}

Age Action

September–December

[Social Protection] To raise awareness of the gender pension gap and accumulated gender disadvantage in older age and the impact of pension reforms over last 5 years

Public Officials Lobbied

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

Lobbying Tracker

Most Lobbied TDs