Overwatch Report

Marketing English in Ireland

September–December

[Transport] Engagement with public officials regarding access to student public transport concessions for international English language students studying in Ireland

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Shane Moynihan', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': "Darren O'Rourke", 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'}

Irish Cattle and Sheep Farmers Association

September–December

[Agriculture] Animal health and disease management; Bluetongue virus; cross-border livestock trade and containment measures.

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Email All Oireachtas Members', 'role': ''} {'name': 'Martin Heydon', 'role': 'Minister (Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine)'} {'name': 'Noel Grealish', 'role': 'Minister of State (Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine)'} {'name': 'Michael Healy-Rae', 'role': 'Minister of State (Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine)'}

Pender & Associates Ltd

on behalf of Yes (client not named)

September–December

[Economic Development and Industry] Invite to attend store opening and meet with management

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Niamh Smyth', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Duncan Smith', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': "Darragh O'Brien", 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'David Maxwell', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Lorraine Clifford-Lee', 'role': 'Senator (Seanad)'} {'name': 'Corina Johnston', 'role': 'Councillor (Fingal County Council)'} + 8 more

Irish Wildlife Trust CLG.

September–December

[Environment] Common Fisheries Policy, marine protected area legislation, habitat and birds directive, nature restoration regulation, weakening of environmental laws at EU level under simplification agenda, upcoming Irish presidency of the EU Council. Fox hunting Bill

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Timmy Dooley', 'role': 'Minister of State (Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine)'} {'name': 'Michael McNamara', 'role': 'MEP (European Parliament)'} {'name': 'Thomas Byrne', 'role': 'Minister of State (Department of Foreign Affairs)'} {'name': 'Sean Kelly', 'role': 'MEP (European Parliament)'} {'name': 'Kathleen Funchion', 'role': 'MEP (European Parliament)'} {'name': 'Nina Carberry', 'role': 'MEP (European Parliament)'}

Irish Creamery Milk Suppliers Association

September–December

[Environment] Meeting between Designated Areas Monitoring Committee and the Minister of State at the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage with special responsibility for Nature, Heritage and Biodiversity, Mr. Christopher O'Sullivan..

Public Officials Lobbied

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

Greengate Biogas 001 Limited

September–December

[Energy and Natural Resources] Lack of certainty of renewable blend % beyond year 2 was unlikely to give certainty to parties to purchase any quantities of biomethane over the stated obligation level.1-year lead time for a review to this number not long enough for new supply to meet increased demand from any increase.Minimum qualifying threshold for obligated parties could lead to new market entrants targeting total sales below this figure, gaining an unfair advantage over obligated parties,crea

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Naoise Ó Muirí', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Réada Cronin', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Ciarán Ahern', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'}

P. J. Carroll & Company Ltd

September–December

[Health] Information sharing on BAT's positions on underage access to nicotine products, and evidence on regulation to prevent underage access

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Noel McCarthy', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Michael Fitzmaurice', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Rory Cocking', 'role': 'Councillor (Cork County Council)'} {'name': 'George Lawlor', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'}

P. J. Carroll & Company Ltd

September–December

[Environment] Sharing information and briefing note ahead of Public Health (Single Use Vapes) Bill second stage debate in Dáil Éireann

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'George Lawlor', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Gareth Scahill', 'role': 'Senator (Seanad)'} {'name': 'Noel McCarthy', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Rory Cocking', 'role': 'Councillor (Cork County Council)'}

Deliveroo (Roofoods Ltd)

September–December

[Taxation] To engage with key stakeholders regarding a streamlined approach to the application of the Digital Services Levy in Ireland

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Paul Fox (Former DPO)', 'role': 'Special Adviser (Department of Foreign Affairs)'} {'name': 'Paudie Coffey (Former DPO)', 'role': 'Special Adviser (Seanad)'} {'name': 'Peter Burke', 'role': 'Minister (Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment)'} {'name': 'Laura Mannion', 'role': 'Special Advisor (Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment)'} {'name': 'Brian Keegan', 'role': 'Special Advisor (Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment)'} {'name': "Patrick O'Donovan", 'role': 'Minister (Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht)'} + 1 more

Music Generation DAC

September–December

[Education and Training] Communications with Secretary General of Department of An Taoiseach to discuss further development of Music Generation (2027-2031) and its provision of performance music education to children and young people of Ireland, age 0-18.

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'John Callinan', 'role': 'Second Secretary General (Department of the Taoiseach)'}

Meta Platforms Ireland Ltd

September–December

[Communications] Seeking Ireland's support for legislative action at EU level on online age verification.

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': "Patrick O'Donovan", 'role': 'Minister of State (Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media)'} {'name': 'Theresa Newman', 'role': 'Special Adviser (Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media)'} {'name': 'Tríona Quill', 'role': 'Assistant Secretary (Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media)'}

Rockwood Consulting ULC

on behalf of Yes (client not named)

September–December

[Heritage] Matters related to the Fox Hunting Bill

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'William Lavelle (Former DPO)', 'role': 'Adviser to Minister (Department of Justice)'} {'name': 'Deirdre Gillane', 'role': 'Chief of Staff (Department of the Taoiseach)'} {'name': 'Jack O’Donnell', 'role': 'Special Adviser (Department of the Taoiseach)'} {'name': 'Mary Lou McDonald', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Martin Kenny', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Holly Cairns', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} + 43 more

Federation of Agrochemical Retail Merchants

January–April

[Agriculture] Food Vision 2030 Tillage Group Meetings

Public Officials Lobbied

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

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

January–April

[Justice and Equality] General Scheme of the Garda Síochána (Recording Devices) (Amendment) Bill.

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Email All Oireachtas Members', 'role': 'Submission prepared by Caroline Counihan BL on the General Scheme of the Garda Síochána (Recording Devices) (Amendment) Bill issued to all Oireachtas members in pdf by email dated 25th January 2024.'} {'name': 'James Lawless', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Colm Brophy', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Patrick Costello', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Pa Daly', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Alan Farrell', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} + 9 more

Construction Industry Federation (CIF)

September–December

[Housing] To engage in meaningful dialogue with council

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Frank Curran', 'role': 'Chief Executive Officer (Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council)'}

Fair Seas Ireland

January–April

[Environment] Information request on Council position on Article 14a of the NRL (fisheries management measures) and reiterating it's importance to management of MPAs and the new legislation

Public Officials Lobbied

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

Fair Seas Ireland

January–April

[Environment] Information request on attendance at Fisheries Action Plan group and it's importance for management of MPA's. Information on the status of EU Biodiversity pledge and the target of 10% SP MPAs

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Malcolm Noonan', 'role': 'Minister of State (Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage)'} {'name': 'Charlie McConalogue', 'role': 'Minister (Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine)'}

Ibec

January–April

[Employment] Wage subsidy scheme (WSS)

Public Officials Lobbied

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

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)'}

Ibec

January–April

[Environment] Upcoming legislation impacting the beverage sector

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Richard Bruton', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'}

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

January–April

[Justice and Equality] Endorsement of Alcohol Action's Open Letter to all three Government Party Leaders calling for a Health Impact Assessment of the Sale of Alcohol Bill - a recommendation made by the Oireachtas Justice Committee in its pre-legislative scrutiny of the Bill.

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Email All Oireachtas Members', 'role': 'Safe Ireland signed a letter dated 7th February 2024 which was drafted and issued by Alcohol Action Ireland to all members of the Oireachtas calling on government to fully assess the implications of increased alcohol availability as proposed in the Sale of Alcohol Bill.'} {'name': 'Leo Varadkar', 'role': 'Taoiseach (Department of the Taoiseach)'} {'name': 'Micheál Martin', 'role': 'Tánaiste and Minister (Department of Foreign Affairs)'} {'name': 'Eamon Ryan', 'role': 'Minister (Department of Environment, Climate and Communications)'}

The Association of Farm & Forestry Contractors in Ireland (FCI) Ltd

January–April

[Environment] Submission from the Association of Farm & Forestry Contractors in Ireland (FCI) – to request a temporary closing date extension and leniency for FCI members who are engaged in hedge management operations after March 1, 2024.

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Eamon Ryan', 'role': 'Minister (Department of Environment, Climate and Communications)'} {'name': 'Charlie McConalogue', 'role': 'Minister (Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine)'} {'name': 'Barry Cassidy', 'role': 'Special Adviser (Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine)'} {'name': 'Martin Heydon', 'role': 'Minister of State (Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine)'} {'name': 'Michael Collins', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Michael Fitzmaurice', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} + 6 more

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

January–April

[Education and Training] Invitation to the Minister for Justice to launch the UCC/Safe Ireland Digital Badge Course entitled 'Recognising and Responding to Technology Facilitated Abuse'.

Public Officials Lobbied

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

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

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

January–April

[Justice and Equality] Refuge Development Cavan/Monaghan

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Niamh Smyth', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'}

Tralee Chamber Alliance

January–April

[Finance] We need to look at insurance premiums for businesses. On average a 30% increase to local businesses has been recorded at the beginning of 2024.

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Norma Foley', 'role': 'Minister (Department of Education)'}

Dungarvan & West Waterford Chamber

January–April

[Economic Development and Industry] Large villages and small towns are prioritised through this scheme. Larger or Medium size towns such as Dungarvan are not benefiting as they should, particularly as these size towns faces huge challenges trying to keep the town centre vibrant and upgraded.

Public Officials Lobbied

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

Veterinary Ireland

January–April

[Agriculture] Communications with the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage in relation to Veterinary Ireland concerns around the uncertainty surrounding the future of the Local Authority Veterinary Service (LAVS) and the detrimental effects this is having on the existing service.

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Dara Calleary', 'role': 'Minister of State (Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment)'}

The Community Foundation for Ireland

January–April

[Heritage] Expansion of existing partnership between Community Foundation Ireland and the National Parks and Wildlife Service on Biodiversity Action

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': "Jerry O'Connor (Former DPO)", 'role': 'Adviser to Minister (Department of Children and Youth Affairs)'} {'name': 'Malcolm Noonan', 'role': 'Minister of State (Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage)'} {'name': 'Hannah Hamilton', 'role': 'Special Adviser (Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage)'}

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

January–April

[Justice and Equality] Family Courts Bill 2022

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Email All Oireachtas Members', 'role': "Email issued from Mary McDermott to all Senators and TD's on 4th April containing pdf attachment of Safe Ireland's summary submission on the Family Courts Bill 2022 which was drafted by Caroline Counihan BL."} {'name': 'Helen McEntee', 'role': 'Minister (Department of Justice)'} {'name': 'Dr Stephanie O’Keeffe', 'role': 'Chief Executive Officer (Department of Justice)'}

Lobbying Tracker

Most Lobbied TDs