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)'}

SAFE Ireland National Social Change Agency CLG T/A SAFE Ireland

January–April

[Justice and Equality] Remote Witness Hearing Pilot Project

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Email All Oireachtas Members', 'role': "Email circulated from Mary McDermott to all Senators and TD's on 19th April contained a pdf attachment of Safe Ireland's Remote Witness Hearing Evaluation Report - a report on a pilot project on which Caroline Counihan had oversight."} {'name': 'Helen McEntee', 'role': 'Minister (Department of Justice)'} {'name': 'Ben Ryan', 'role': 'Assistant Secretary (Department of Justice)'} {'name': 'Oonagh McPhillips', 'role': 'Secretary General (Department of Justice)'} {'name': 'Helen McEntee', 'role': 'Minister (Department of Justice)'} {'name': 'Audrey Leonard', 'role': 'Assistant Secretary (The Courts Service)'} + 11 more

Free Legal Advice Centres (FLAC)

January–April

[Justice and Equality] January 2024 Emails issued about the proposed referendums on ‘family’ and ‘care’, enclosing FLAC’s recommendations for strengthening and clarifying the proposals for constitutional reform

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Kathleen Funchion', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Patrick Costello', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'John Brady', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Holly Cairns', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Michael Creed', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Alan Dillon', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} + 26 more

The Plant Variety Development Office CLG

January–April

[Agriculture] EU Commission review on legislation governing New Breeding Techniques for plants

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Mick Wallace', 'role': 'MEP (European Parliament)'} {'name': 'Chris MacManus', 'role': 'MEP (European Parliament)'} {'name': 'Billy Kelleher', 'role': 'MEP (European Parliament)'} {'name': 'Deirdre Clune', 'role': 'MEP (European Parliament)'} {'name': 'Luke Ming Flanagan', 'role': 'MEP (European Parliament)'} {'name': 'Colm Markey', 'role': 'MEP (European Parliament)'}

Dungarvan & West Waterford Chamber

January–April

[Employment] The Medical Card is a challenge for employers trying to hire people off the live register or from various DSP schemes. Employers often must compete with the privilege of a medical card. The privilege being, the medical card offers access to services and resources not available to people without a medical card, even those with private healthcare cannot access all services and resources. The medical card is highly valuable and often is a big challenge in attracting people back into t

Public Officials Lobbied

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

Kieran Smyth

January–April

[Environment] Requested Paul McAuliffe TD and Councillor Briege MacOscar to assist in having Transport Infrastructure Ireland make hard copy documentation of its Metrolink planning application to An Bord Pleanala available in Ballymun Public Library in advance of An Bord's Oral Hearing in the matter.

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Paul McAuliffe', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Briege MacOscar', 'role': 'Councillor (Dublin City Council)'}

Veterinary Ireland

January–April

[Agriculture] Communications with the Minister, Chief Veterinary Officer (CVO) and other officials of the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) on the capital funding required to support the costs to Private Veterinary Practitioners (PVPs) associated with the Animal Health Computer System (AHCS), and the proposed National Veterinary Prescription System (NVPS), along with a mechanism for the ongoing adjustment of ERAD rates.

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Martin Blake', 'role': 'Chief Veterinary Officer (Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine)'} {'name': 'Charlie McConalogue', 'role': 'Minister (Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine)'}

Veterinary Ireland

January–April

[Agriculture] Communications with Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) regarding Veterinary Ireland concerns and recommendations with the Department's Protocol for Dealing with Pets from Ukraine, and considerations of the high risks of zoonotic disease importation into Ireland as an unintended consequence.

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Martin Blake', 'role': 'Chief Veterinary Officer (Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine)'}

The Plant Variety Development Office CLG

January–April

[Agriculture] EU Commission review on legislation governing Plant Reproductive Material

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Luke Ming Flanagan', 'role': 'MEP (European Parliament)'} {'name': 'Colm Markey', 'role': 'MEP (European Parliament)'} {'name': 'Chris MacManus', 'role': 'MEP (European Parliament)'}

The Wheel

January–April

[Community] To ensure that support for the community, voluntary, charity and social enterprise sector is recognised in the formation of policies and election manifestos. To highlight the issue of pay parity within the sector, particularly in section 39/56/10 organisations where sector organisations are doing identical work to their public sector colleagues.

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Paul Donnelly', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'}

Concern Worldwide

January–April

[Foreign Affairs] Humanitarian Aid - Donor Conference - Sudan, Ethipia

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Micheál Martin', 'role': 'Tánaiste and Minister (Department of Foreign Affairs)'}

Health Research Charities Ireland

January–April

[Health] Health research policies

Public Officials Lobbied

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

Transparency International Ireland

January–April

[Justice and Equality] TI Ireland joined the Irish Council for Civil Liberties (ICCL) in expressing its profound concern with the Charities Amendment Bill (2023) and suggested specific amendments thereto.

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Anne Marie McNally', 'role': 'Special Adviser (Department of Rural and Community Development)'}

The Wheel

January–April

[Community] Letter to Minister Patrick O'Donovan re skills needs of the community, voluntary, charity and social enterprise sector, seeking meeting to engage further.

Public Officials Lobbied

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

The Wheel

January–April

[Community] Attendance at the Green Party Ard Fheis to advocate for the sustainability of the community, voluntary, charity and social enterprise sector.

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Eamon Ryan', 'role': 'Minister (Department of Environment, Climate and Communications)'} {'name': "Joe O'Brien", 'role': 'Minister of State (Department of Rural and Community Development)'} {'name': "Roderic O'Gorman", 'role': 'Minister (Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth)'} {'name': 'Ciarán Cuffe', 'role': 'MEP (European Parliament)'}

Marine Renewables Industry Association Ltd

January–April

[Energy and Natural Resources] All discussions were about policy developments in Offshore Renewable Energy

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Eamon Ryan', 'role': 'Minister (Department of Environment, Climate and Communications)'} {'name': 'Jennifer Carroll MacNeill', 'role': 'Minister of State (Department of Finance)'}

Ibec

January–April

[Economic Development and Industry] Technology Ireland request support from Maria Walsh MEP on amendments to the GDPR enforcement proposal

Public Officials Lobbied

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

Sustainable Water Network (SWAN)

January–April

[Heritage] Marine Protected Areas Bill

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': "Darragh O'Brien", 'role': 'Minister (Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage)'} {'name': 'Malcolm Noonan', 'role': 'Minister of State (Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage)'} {'name': 'Eamon Ryan', 'role': 'Minister (Department of Environment, Climate and Communications)'} {'name': "Pauline O'Reilly", 'role': 'Senator (Seanad)'} {'name': 'Steven Matthews', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Carolyn Moore', 'role': 'Councillor (Dublin City Council)'} + 8 more

Sustainable Water Network (SWAN)

January–April

[Marine] Calling for Minister to develop Fisheries Natura Declarations - Wexford SPA

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Charlie McConalogue', 'role': 'Minister (Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine)'}

Sustainable Water Network (SWAN)

January–April

[Marine] Calling for Minister to close sprat fisheries.

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Charlie McConalogue', 'role': 'Minister (Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine)'}

Limerick Chamber

January–April

[Housing] Meeting with Minister Simon Coveney and Senator Maria Byrne

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Simon Coveney', 'role': 'Minister (Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment)'} {'name': 'Maria Byrne', 'role': 'Senator (Seanad)'}

Limerick Chamber

January–April

[Transport] Meeting with Minister Simon Coveney and Senator Maria Byrne to discuss Mid-West Aviation

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Simon Coveney', 'role': 'Minister (Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment)'} {'name': 'Maria Byrne', 'role': 'Senator (Seanad)'}

Limerick Chamber

January–April

[Economic Development and Industry] Meeting with Minister Simon Coveney and Senator Maria Byrne to discuss increased cost of doing business

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Maria Byrne', 'role': 'Senator (Seanad)'} {'name': 'Simon Coveney', 'role': 'Minister (Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment)'}

Limerick Chamber

January–April

[Energy and Natural Resources] Meeting with Minister Simon Coveney and Senator Maria Byrne to discuss offshore wind potential of the Mid-West

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Maria Byrne', 'role': 'Senator (Seanad)'} {'name': 'Simon Coveney', 'role': 'Minister (Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment)'}

Ibec

January–April

[Economic Development and Industry] Technology Ireland seeks clarification from Department of Public Expenditure and Reform about Infrastructure as a service (IaaS) framework

Public Officials Lobbied

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

Association of Irish Local Government

January–April

[Local Government] Representations to seek amendment of the Planning & Development Bill 2023 so as to: 1. Retain duration of county/city development plans at 6 years; 2. Secure consultation before issue of binding Ministerial Planning Statements. 3. Secure strong powers of initiative for councillors in regarding to variation procedure of development plans.

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Gail Dunne (Former DPO)', 'role': 'Councillor (Wicklow County Council)'} {'name': 'Email All Oireachtas Members', 'role': 'Email accompanied by submission, 23/04/2024.'}

Irish fish Producers Organisation Ltd

January–April

[Marine] Advocate and exchange views regarding the jeopardy of Third Country Access to EU Irish Waters and adverse impacts of Irish Seafood Sector

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Brendan Gleeson', 'role': 'Secretary General (Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine)'} {'name': 'Charlie McConalogue', 'role': 'Minister (Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine)'} {'name': 'Darran Brennan', 'role': 'Special Adviser (Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine)'} {'name': 'Sinead McSherry', 'role': 'Assistant Secretary General (Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine)'} {'name': "Jack O'Donnell", 'role': 'Special Adviser (Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine)'} {'name': "Philip O'Callaghan", 'role': 'Deputy Chief of Staff (Department of the Taoiseach)'} + 2 more

MSD

January–April

[Health] pediatric hospitalisations in Ireland due to Varicella in 2023

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Colm Burke', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Frank Feighan', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Marc MacSharry', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'}

Coeliac Society Of Ireland

January–April

[Taxation] Clarity on claiming for health expenses for gluten free foods via Revenue

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Emer Higgins', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': "Fergus O'Dowd", 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'}

Ibec

January–April

[Agriculture] Market Access for beef, sheep and pork, poultry to various markets

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Philip Carroll (Former DPO)', 'role': 'Assistant Secretary General (Department of Agriculture and the Marine)'} {'name': 'Martin Blake', 'role': 'Chief Veterinary Officer (Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine)'} {'name': 'Michael Sheahan', 'role': 'Director of Operations (Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine)'} {'name': 'Rob Doyle', 'role': 'Director (Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine)'} {'name': 'Colm Hayes', 'role': 'Assistant Secretary (Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine)'} {'name': 'Martin Heydon', 'role': 'Minister of State (Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine)'}

Lobbying Tracker

Most Lobbied TDs