Overwatch Report

Fórsa trade union

January–April

[Employment] Wrote to Ministers for Agriculture, Food & Marine; and Housing, Local Gov & Heritage seeking immediate intervention regarding the SLI between his department, the Marine Institute and the Dept. of Housing, Local Gov & Heritage. Seeking to protect 22 staff contracts..

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Charlie McConalogue', 'role': 'Minister (Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine)'} {'name': "Darragh O'Brien", 'role': 'Minister (Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage)'} {'name': 'Fintan Towey', 'role': 'Assistant Secretary (Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage)'} {'name': 'Graham Doyle', 'role': 'Secretary General (Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage)'} {'name': 'Brendan Gleeson', 'role': 'Secretary General (Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine)'} {'name': 'Sinead McSherry', 'role': 'Assistant Secretary General (Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine)'}

Fórsa trade union

January–April

[Employment] Letter to Minister for Public Expenditure seeking intervention in the delay by his dept in allowing civil & public employers to sign up to the newly established Civil & Public Sector Master Trust to comply with EU Directive (IORP II) This regulation affects AVC scheme which over 100,000 public servants pay into Some of the schemes are now non-compliant with pension regulations because of this delay This could have serious consequences for thousands of civil & public service employee

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Paschal Donohoe', 'role': 'Minister (Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform)'}

Fórsa trade union

January–April

[Employment] Letter sent to all members of the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach regarding the General Scheme of the Civil Service Regulation (Amendment) Bill 2018.

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'John McGuinness', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Bernard Durkan', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Richard Boyd Barrett', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Rose Conway-Walsh', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Pearse Doherty', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Damien English', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} + 11 more

Fórsa trade union

January–April

[Transport] Fórsa is seeking an additional 40 permanent driver tester positions in the Road Safety Authority in its evidence to the Oireachtas Transport Committee.

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Duncan Smith', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Mattie McGrath', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Richard Boyd Barrett', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'}

Fórsa trade union

January–April

[Energy and Natural Resources] A meeting was held with three TD regarding Fórsa's campaign for the holding of a referendum on keeping water utilities in public ownership.

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': "Cian O'Callaghan", 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Eoin Ó Broin', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Ged Nash', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'}

Fórsa trade union

May–August

[Taxation] Meeting with Minister Peter Burke, TD. Minister for Enterprise, State and Employment, and follow-up letter, on the matter of tax relief for union subscriptions.

Public Officials Lobbied

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

Fórsa trade union

May–August

[Transport] Fórsa asked the Minister for Transport that the 35 driver testers employed on temporary contracts be made permanent. Fórsa also sought a meeting with the Minister to discuss the future of the RSA amid media speculation that the organisation could be split up.

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'James Lawless', 'role': 'Minister of State (Department of Transport)'}

Fórsa trade union

May–August

[Agriculture] Letter to Minister of Agriculture, Food & Marine; and Minister of Housing, Local Gov & Heritage concerning the transfer of the local authority veterinary service to the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine and the terms & conditions of Fórsa members affected by this. The letter seeks the intervention of both Ministers to progress this process particularly around the issue of entitlement to professional added years since March 2022.

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Charlie McConalogue', 'role': 'Minister (Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine)'} {'name': "Darragh O'Brien", 'role': 'Minister (Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage)'}

Fórsa trade union

May–August

[Local Government] An email was sent to all local Councillors seeking support for the Fórsa campaign More Power to You, which looks for stronger local government and improved local services provision. The email was sent to launch the Union's manifesto ahead of the local elections. The manifesto sought commitments across five key pillars: Democracy, Waste, Water, Housing, Energy and Climate.

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Email All Councillors', 'role': 'Email sent 24th May 24.'}

Fórsa trade union

May–August

[Health] Email sent to Minister of State for Health and other TDs seeking support for a Fórsa petition about Regional Director of Heath & Social Care Professionals (HSCPS). The HSE have made the decision to exclude HSCPs from a role in the senior management structure of the new Health Regions. Fórsa wants this decision changed. Fórsa has created a petition to support this campaign.

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Neasa Hourigan', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Colm Burke', 'role': 'Minister of State (Department of Health)'} {'name': 'Duncan Smith', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Róisín Shorthall', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'David Cullinane', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'}

Fórsa trade union

May–August

[Justice and Equality] Joint email from FÓRSA /AHCPS re Garda Civilian Staff access to mobility to other parts of the civil service, post commencement of the Policing Act.

Public Officials Lobbied

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

Fórsa trade union

September–December

[Budgetary matters] Emailed politicians regarding the findings of a recent report by TASC commissioned by Fórsa seeking increased State action on the cost of living..

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Jack Chambers', 'role': 'Minister (Department of Finance)'} {'name': "Darragh O'Brien", 'role': 'Minister (Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage)'} {'name': 'Norma Foley', 'role': 'Minister (Department of Education)'} {'name': 'Mary Butler', 'role': 'Minister of State (Department of Health)'} {'name': 'James Lawless', 'role': 'Minister of State (Department of Transport)'} {'name': 'James Browne', 'role': 'Minister of State (Department of Justice)'} + 20 more

Fórsa trade union

September–December

[Environment] Emailed politicians regarding the findings of a recent report by TASC commissioned by Fórsa seeking increased State action concerning on climate change.

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Micheál Martin', 'role': 'Tánaiste and Minister (Department of Foreign Affairs)'} {'name': 'Jack Chambers', 'role': 'Minister (Department of Finance)'} {'name': "Darragh O'Brien", 'role': 'Minister (Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage)'} {'name': 'Norma Foley', 'role': 'Minister (Department of Education)'} {'name': 'Mary Butler', 'role': 'Minister of State (Department of Health)'} {'name': 'James Lawless', 'role': 'Minister of State (Department of Transport)'} + 20 more

Fórsa trade union

September–December

[Employment] Emailed politicians regarding the findings of a recent report by TASC commissioned by Fórsa seeking increased State action concerning the expansion of artificial intelligence.

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Micheál Martin', 'role': 'Tánaiste and Minister (Department of Foreign Affairs)'} {'name': 'Jack Chambers', 'role': 'Minister (Department of Finance)'} {'name': "Darragh O'Brien", 'role': 'Minister (Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage)'} {'name': 'Norma Foley', 'role': 'Minister (Department of Education)'} {'name': 'Mary Butler', 'role': 'Minister of State (Department of Health)'} {'name': 'James Lawless', 'role': 'Minister of State (Department of Transport)'} + 21 more

Fórsa trade union

September–December

[Public Expenditure and Reform] Invite to all Oirechtas members to the launch of the Fórsa general election manifesto. It included an outline of Forsa policy priorities for implementation of the next government, which included increased public service pay and commitment to investment in quality public services. There was follow-up correspondence regarding this campaign, and asking for key recommendations to be included in the next Programme for Government.

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Email All Oireachtas Members', 'role': 'The email detailed an invite sent on 7th November 2024 to the launch of the Fórsa general election manifesto send by Grace Williams. It included an outline of Fórsa policy priorities for implementation for the next government,'} {'name': 'Simon Harris', 'role': 'An Taoiseach (Department of the Taoiseach)'} {'name': 'Micheál Martin', 'role': 'Tánaiste and Minister (Department of Foreign Affairs)'} {'name': "Roderic O'Gorman", 'role': 'Minister (Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth)'} {'name': 'Mary Lou McDonald', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Richard Boyd Barrett', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} + 4 more

Fórsa trade union

September–December

[Employment] Invite to all Oirechtas members to the launch of the Fórsa general election manifesto. It included an outline of Fórsa policy priorities for implementation of the next government, which sought a commitment to protecting remote working and the introduction of a four day working week pilot programmes in the public and civil service. There was follow-up correspondence regarding this campaign, and asking for key recommendations to be included in the next Programme for Government.

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Email All Oireachtas Members', 'role': 'Invite to all Oirechtas members to the launch of the Fórsa general election manifesto sent on 7/11/24. There was follow-up correspondence regarding this campaign, and asking for key recommendations to be included in the next Programme for Government.'} {'name': 'Simon Harris', 'role': 'An Taoiseach (Department of the Taoiseach)'} {'name': 'Micheál Martin', 'role': 'An Taoiseach (Department of the Taoiseach)'} {'name': "Roderic O'Gorman", 'role': 'Minister (Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth)'} {'name': 'Ivana Bacik', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Mary Lou McDonald', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} + 3 more

Fórsa trade union

September–December

[Education and Training] Launch of school secretaries and care takers pensions campaign

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Gary Gannon', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Aodhán Ó Ríordáin', 'role': 'MEP (European Parliament)'} {'name': 'Janice Boylan', 'role': 'Councillor (Dublin City Council)'} {'name': 'Gino Kenny', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'}

Fórsa trade union

September–December

[Transport] Correspondence exchange and online meeting held to discuss the future of the Road Safety Authority.

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'James Lawless', 'role': 'Minister of State (Department of Transport)'} {'name': 'Keith Walsh', 'role': 'Assistant Secretary (Department of Transport)'}

Fórsa trade union

September–December

[Health] This communication related to Fórsa not been provided with the opportunity to attend the Joint Oireachtas Committee on health hearing on the 2nd October 2024 alongside SIPTU & INMO. We request support to attend and an invite. This was not possible, but the committee wrote and acknowledged the oversight and Fórsa were offered the opportunity to attend on the 25th October 2024.

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Seán Crowe', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Bernard Durkan', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Colm Brophy', 'role': 'Minister of State for the Diaspora and Overseas Development Aid (Department of Foreign Affairs)'} {'name': 'Cathal Crowe', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'David Cullinane', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Neasa Hourigan', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} + 8 more

Fórsa trade union

September–December

[Transport] National Secretary Katie Morgan met with Minister for State for Transport James Lawless, as part of an Irish Congress of Trade Unions (ICTU) delegation, which highlighted the detrimental impact the Dublin Airport cap on flights will have on all workers and jobs in the airport.

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'James Lawless', 'role': 'Minister of State (Department of Transport)'}

Fórsa trade union

September–December

[Public Expenditure and Reform] Kevin Callinan, Fórsa General Secretary met with Paschal Donohoe, Minister for Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform, regarding the urgent need to repeal the FEMPI legislation, warning that failure to honour this commitment jeopardises the Public Service Agreement 2024-26. A follow up email/letter was sent two weeks later.

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Paschal Donohoe', 'role': 'Minister (Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform)'}

Fórsa trade union

September–December

[Foreign Affairs] Kevin Callinan, Fórsa General Secretary sent a letter to Mr. Mehmet Hakan Olcay, the Turkish Ambassador in Ireland, and copied Clare Brosnan, Ambassador of Ireland to Turkey. The letter from Fórsa strongly condemns the arbitrary arrests of Turkish trade union leaders and demands their immediate release, urging the embassy to relay these concerns to the Turkish government.

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Clare Brosnan', 'role': 'Ambassador (Department of Foreign Affairs)'}

Fórsa trade union

September–December

[Health] Kevin Callinan Fórsa General Sec sought a meeting with the Taoiseach, Tánaiste and the Minister of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth. The letter highlighted the urgent need to resolve funding & pay disparity issues for workers providing services that would otherwise have to be provided by the State, who are paid at a lower rate than their counterparts directly employed by public service organisations. Mr Callinan sought a meeting in order to prevent serious industria

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Micheál Martin', 'role': 'Tánaiste and Minister (Department of Foreign Affairs)'} {'name': 'Simon Harris', 'role': 'An Taoiseach (Department of the Taoiseach)'} {'name': "Roderic O'Gorman", 'role': 'Minister (Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth)'}

Fórsa trade union

September–December

[Public Expenditure and Reform] Kevin Callinan, Chairperson ICTU Public Services Committee sent a letter Colin Mention, Deputy Sec General, Dept of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery & Reform seeking a meeting regarding the local bargaining clause of the Public Service Agreement 2024-26 following a meeting on 21st October 2024. This concerned draft lists of bargaining units; & the rights of unions in respect of particular bargaining units. These mainly relate to the education sectors

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Colin Menton', 'role': 'Deputy Secretary General (Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform)'}

Fórsa trade union

September–December

[Health] Linda Kelly, Fórsa National Secretary, met with Mr David Cullinane, TD, Sinn Fein spokesperson on Health regarding the restructuring of the HSE to six Health Regions and the proposed exclusion of a Regional Director of Health and Social Care Professionals in the new structures.

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'David Cullinane', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'}

Fórsa trade union

January–April

[Transport] Letter sent to the Minister for Transport, Minister Eamon Ryan, seeking the deferral of vesting day for Irish Aviation Authority under the terms of the Air Navigation and Transport Act, 2022.

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Eamon Ryan', 'role': 'Minister (Department of Transport)'}

Fórsa trade union

January–April

[Education and Training] Met with Minister for Further and Higher Education, Minister Simon Harris TD regarding the apprenticeships schemes.

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Simon Harris', 'role': 'Minister (Department of Further and Higher Education, Innovation and Science)'}

Fórsa trade union

January–April

[Employment] Had communications with Ministers Ryan and Coveney, and Senator Annie Hoey regarding Fórsa's campaign on the four day week in Ireland. Specifically the need for public sector trials.

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Kevin Donoghue (Former DPO)', 'role': 'Councillor (Dublin City Council)'} {'name': 'Eamon Ryan', 'role': 'Minister (Department of Transport)'} {'name': 'Simon Coveney', 'role': 'Minister (Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment)'} {'name': 'Annie Hoey', 'role': 'Senator (Seanad)'}

Fórsa trade union

January–April

[Environment] Communications with all TDs and Senators to make changes to national legislation in respect of waste management. To allow local authorities to provide waste services.

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Kevin Donoghue (Former DPO)', 'role': 'Councillor (Dublin City Council)'} {'name': 'Email All Oireachtas Members', 'role': 'Email sent to all Oireachtas members in April 2023. There was also so social media contact.'}

Fórsa trade union

January–April

[Justice and Equality] Seeking support from Oireachtas members regarding Fórsa's campaign on the Garda Policing, Security and Community Safety Bill.

Public Officials Lobbied

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

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