Overwatch Report

Drogheda & District Chamber

September–December

[Economic Development and Industry] Following a lengthy process, Louth CC made a decision to approve the application in June 2024 with a number of conditions. However, the decision was appealed to An Coimisiun Pleanala, who under the Planning and Development Act 2000, had 18 weeks to make a decision. A November 18, 2024 deadline and then a subsequent March 21, 2025 deadline passed with the authority apologising for the delay due to case volume.

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Ged Nash', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Paula Butterly', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Joanna Byrne', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Erin McGreehan', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Ruairí Ó Murchú', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'}

The Irish Co-operative Organisation Society Ltd

September–December

[Agriculture] Common Border Adjustment Mechanism

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Martin Heydon', 'role': 'Minister (Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine)'} {'name': 'Bill Callanan', 'role': 'Chief Inspector (Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine)'} {'name': 'Louise Byrne', 'role': 'Deputy Chief Inspector (Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine)'}

John Gallagher

on behalf of Yes (client not named)

September–December

[Communications] Roll-out of mobile telephony infrastructure nationally

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'John Reilly', 'role': 'Councillor (Louth County council)'} {'name': 'John Connolly', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': "Willie O'Dea", 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Matt Carthy', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'}

Avista

September–December

[Health] Meeting with Deputy O'Gorman

Public Officials Lobbied

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

Calor Teoranta

September–December

[Energy and Natural Resources] Calor Ireland attended the launch of the Liquid Gas Ireland (LGI) report - 'Delivering Net Zero for Rural Ireland - Pathways to Renewable Liquid Gas' at the National Ploughing Championships. Calor representatives engaged in an informal conversation with MEP Barry Cowen at the launch event on Calor's role as an energy provider in rural Ireland, serving thousands of homes, farms and businesses with liquid gas and renewable liquid gas.

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Barry Cowen', 'role': 'MEP (European Parliament)'}

Business for Biodiversity Ireland

September–December

[Environment] Text: Series of emails and social media post directed at Irish Ministers and Ministers of State and Irish MEPs urging them to uphold the integrity of the European Union Deforestation Regulation in an upcoming vote.

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Michael Healy-Rae', 'role': 'Minister of State (Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine)'} {'name': 'Martin Heydon', 'role': 'Minister of State (Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine)'} {'name': "Darragh O'Brien", 'role': 'Minister (Department of Climate, Energy and the Environment)'} {'name': 'Christopher O’Sullivan', 'role': 'Minister of State (Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage)'} {'name': 'Barry Andrews', 'role': 'MEP (European Parliament)'} {'name': 'Lynn Boylan', 'role': 'MEP (European Parliament)'} + 12 more

Dublin Chamber of Commerce

September–December

[Public Expenditure and Reform] Dublin Chamber official response to judicial review submitted against MetroLink

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Email All Oireachtas Members', 'role': 'Press release - https://www.dublinchamber.ie/News-and-Media/Press-Releases/ArtMID/1536/ArticleID/1701/Dublin-Chamber-Demands-Emergency-Legislation-to-End-MetroLink-Delays'}

The Irish Co-operative Organisation Society Ltd

September–December

[Agriculture] Extension of Ireland's Nitrates Derogation

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Martin Heydon', 'role': 'Minister (Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine)'} {'name': 'Bill Callanan', 'role': 'Chief Inspector (Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine)'} {'name': 'Sinead McPhilips', 'role': 'Assistant Secretary (Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine)'} {'name': 'Brendan Gleeson', 'role': 'Secretary General (Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine)'}

Avista

September–December

[Health] Deputy Sherlock visit to Avista Navan Road

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Marie Sherlock', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'}

Drogheda & District Chamber

September–December

[Budgetary matters] For many businesses, particularly SMEs, balancing annual budgets remains a significant challenge. While the €9.4bn support package offers meaningful assistance, cost pressures persist. A reduction in hospitality VAT from 13.5% to 9% would provide a major boost to the sector. However, rising costs, including increases in the minimum wage, auto-enrolment pensions and other expenses, mean a careful balance is required to protect this vital industry.

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Ged Nash', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Ruairí Ó Murchú', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Alison Comyn', 'role': 'Senator (Seanad)'}

Dublin Chamber of Commerce

September–December

[Transport] Press Release on Shared Island Initiative funding

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Email All Oireachtas Members', 'role': 'Press release - https://www.dublinchamber.ie/News-and-Media/Press-Releases/ArtMID/1536/ArticleID/1642/Dublin-Chamber-President-urges-Government-to-be-bold-to-unlock-Dublin%e2%80%99s-potential'}

Queen's University Belfast

September–December

[Education and Training] The Department of Foreign Affairs approached Queen’s University Belfast to host a half day visit for Deputy Secretary General Sonja Hyland (who is responsible for the Ireland, UK and Americas Division). This visit followed a similar visit by the Department’s Secretary General, Joe Hackett, in 2023

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Sonja Hyland', 'role': 'Deputy Secretary General (Department of Foreign Affairs)'}

Dublin Chamber of Commerce

September–December

[Public Expenditure and Reform] Cost of Doing Business Advisory Group Meeting

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Gary Tobin', 'role': 'Assistant Secretary (Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment)'}

Irish Association of Speech and Language Therapists

September–December

[Budgetary matters] The Disability Unit engaged with IASLT as a stakeholder who is active in the broader disability space.

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Elizabeth Canavan', 'role': 'Assistant Secretary (Department of the Taoiseach)'}

Drogheda & District Chamber

September–December

[Budgetary matters] Business confidence depends on certainty in planning, electricity, water and road infrastructure. Where certainty exists, investment follows, supporting both major employers and small businesses. Drogheda is well suited as a pilot location to European standards for infrastructure delivery around the Northern Cross Route. Completion of this route will unlock housing beyond the 7,500 homes envisaged and enable employment growth, allowing people to live and work locally.

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Ged Nash', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Ruairí Ó Murchú', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Alison Comyn', 'role': 'Senator (Seanad)'}

Avista

September–December

[Health] Deputy O'Dea visit to Avista service Limerick

Public Officials Lobbied

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

Dublin Chamber of Commerce

September–December

[Economic Development and Industry] Cost of Doing Business Advisory Group Meeting

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Gary Tobin', 'role': 'Assistant Secretary (Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment)'}

Calor Teoranta

September–December

[Energy and Natural Resources] Calor Ireland made contact with two Ireland MEP's to request participation in a panel discussion at an energy event in Brussels hosted by the FREE Initiative (Future of Rural Energy in Europe) on the role of competitiveness, sustainability and decarbonisation for EU rural businesses.

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Barry Cowen', 'role': 'MEP (European Parliament)'} {'name': 'Maria Walsh', 'role': 'MEP (European Parliament)'}

Avista

September–December

[Budgetary matters] In person meeting with Minister Hildegarde Naughton

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Hildegarde Naughton', 'role': 'Minister of State (Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth)'}

Dublin Chamber of Commerce

September–December

[Economic Development and Industry] Dublin Chamber Oireachtas Reception

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Simon Harris', 'role': 'Tánaiste and Minister (Department of Foreign Affairs)'} {'name': 'Micheál Martin', 'role': 'An Taoiseach (Department of the Taoiseach)'} {'name': 'Jack Chambers', 'role': 'Minister (Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform)'} {'name': 'Paschal Donohoe', 'role': 'Minister (Department of Finance)'} {'name': 'Cormac Devlin', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'James Geoghegan', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} + 10 more

Irish Association of Speech and Language Therapists

September–December

[Education and Training] Made a submission and attended the joint Committee on Disability Matters public meeting 01 October 2025 - Inclusive Education

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Maurice Quinlivan', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Micheál Carrigy', 'role': 'Senator (Seanad)'} {'name': "Peter 'Chap' Cleere", 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Martin Daly', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Seamus Healy', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Liam Quaide', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'}

Calor Teoranta

September–December

[Energy and Natural Resources] Calor Ireland made contact with MEP Maria Walsh's office to request her participation in a panel discussion at an energy event in Brussels hosted by the FREE Initiative (Future of Rural Energy in Europe) on the role of competitiveness, sustainability and decarbonisation for EU rural businesses.

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Maria Walsh', 'role': 'MEP (European Parliament)'}

TechIreland Analytics and Data Solutions Company Limited by Guarantee

September–December

[Economic Development and Industry] Highlighting importance of the National AI Meet and Challenge in the context of the AI Summit being held during Ireland's EU presidency

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Niamh Smyth', 'role': 'Minister of State (Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment)'} {'name': 'Ellen McGrath', 'role': 'Special Advisor (Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment)'}

Macra na Feirme

September–December

[Community] Priorities for young people living in County Offaly

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Carol Nolan', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Eddie Fitzpatrick', 'role': 'Councillor (Offaly County Council)'} {'name': 'Barry Cowen', 'role': 'MEP (European Parliament)'}

The Asthma Society of Ireland

September–December

[Health] Invitation to Attend Asthma Community Workshops

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Email All Councillors', 'role': 'all Cllrs within the following Local Authorities:\n- Limerick City and County Council \n- Clare County Council \n- Tipp County Council \n- Offaly County Council \n- Westmeath County Council \n- Longford County Council \n- Galway County Council \n\nSome TDs and Senators contacted directly outlined below'} {'name': 'Claire Kerrane', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Hildegarde Naughton', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Seán Canney', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Noel Grealish', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Ruairí Ó Murchú', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} + 27 more

The Irish Natura and Hill Farmers Association

September–December

[Agriculture] INHFA President Pheilim Molloy and others attended a meeting with Minister Christopher O'Sullivan to discuss concerns surrounding the Nature Restoration Law

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Christopher O’Sullivan', 'role': 'Minister of State (Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage)'}

Macra na Feirme

September–December

[Agriculture] Meeting to discuss the challenge's faced by young farmers in Avondhu region of North East Cork from Mercosur and young farmer proposals under CAP reform

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': "John Paul O'Shea", 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Michael Moynihan', 'role': 'Minister of State (Department of Education)'} {'name': 'Liam Quaide', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'}

The Irish Natura and Hill Farmers Association

September–December

[Agriculture] INHFA Vice President John Joe Fitzgerald and others attended a meeting with Minister Michael Healy Rae

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Michael Healy-Rae', 'role': 'Minister of State (Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine)'}

All Ireland Endorsement Body for Community Work Education and Training

September–December

[Community] Email sent on behalf of AIEB and CWI to Minister Dara Calleary requesting a meeting with AIEB and Community Work Ireland

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Dara Calleary', 'role': 'Minister (Department of Rural and Community Development)'}

The Irish Natura and Hill Farmers Association

September–December

[Agriculture] INHFA Chair Micheal McDonnell and others attended a meeting with Ciaran Mullooly

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Ciaran Mullooly', 'role': 'MEP (European Parliament)'}

Lobbying Tracker

Most Lobbied TDs