Overwatch Report

Drogheda & District Chamber

May–August

[Education and Training] Drogheda & District Chamber engaged with Minister of State Niamh Smyth and Senator Alison Comyn regarding the Digitise Drogheda workshop series. Discussions focused on supporting SME digital transformation, including AI, cybersecurity, e-commerce and digital skills. During a visit to Drogheda on 11 June 2026, the Minister met local businesses, Chamber representatives, Louth LEO and the Drogheda Digital Hub to discuss digital adoption challenges and available supports.

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Alison Comyn', 'role': 'Senator (Seanad)'} {'name': 'Niamh Smyth', 'role': 'Minister of State (Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment)'}

Rediscovery Centre CLG

May–August

[Environment] Visit to the Rediscovery Centre by Martina Hennessey, Assistant Secretary Circular Economy and Resource Management, included a tour of the facility and discussions focused on strengthening collaboration between the Department and the Rediscovery Centre in advancing circular economy policy and measures including in particular the national circular.ie programme, as well as reuse, repair, education and community engagement activities across the country

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Martina Hennessy', 'role': 'Assistant Secretary (Department of Climate, Energy and the Environment)'}

Rediscovery Centre CLG

May–August

[Education and Training] Visit to the Rediscovery Centre by Richard Shakespeare, Dublin City Council Chief Executive, included a tour of the facility and discussions focused on strengthening partnership and collaboration between Dublin City Council and the Rediscovery Centre in advancing circular economy initiatives, reuse, repair, education and community engagement activities across Dublin.

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Richard Shakespeare', 'role': 'Chief Executive Officer (Dublin City Council)'}

Irish Stock Exchange plc trading as Euronext Dublin

May–August

[Finance] Email containing Euronext views and positions on the Market Integration and Supervision Package.

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Michael J. McGrath', 'role': 'Assistant Secretary (Department of Finance)'}

Irish Stock Exchange plc trading as Euronext Dublin

May–August

[Finance] Email containing Euronext views and positions on the Market Integration and Supervision Package.

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Michael J. McGrath', 'role': 'Assistant Secretary (Department of Finance)'}

MKC Communications

on behalf of Yes (client not named)

May–August

[Energy and Natural Resources] EUETS policy and implications of including Waste to Energy facilities for waste management costs, landfill, waste exports and energy infrastructure.

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Email All MEPs', 'role': 'Irish MEPs'}

Irish Universities Association

May–August

[Education and Training] A briefing was provided to TDs and Senators on the Higher Education Access Route (HEAR) and Disability Access Route to Education (DARE) schemes, outlining their role in widening participation and improving access to higher education for underrepresented and disadvantaged students.

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Michael Healy-Rae', 'role': 'Minister of State (Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine)'} {'name': 'Jackie Healy-Rae', 'role': 'Special Advisor (Department of Agriculture and the Marine)'} {'name': 'Niamh Smyth', 'role': 'Minister of State (Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment)'} {'name': 'James Lawless', 'role': 'Minister (Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science)'} {'name': 'Paul Daly', 'role': 'Senator (Seanad)'} {'name': 'Eileen Lynch', 'role': 'Senator (Seanad)'} + 15 more

Dell Products

May–August

[Economic Development and Industry] Meeting to discuss AI adoption, AI sovereignty, cybersecurity and the digital skills agenda in Ireland in the context of Ireland’s EU Presidency.

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Micheál Martin', 'role': 'An Taoiseach (Department of the Taoiseach)'}

Prosper Fingal CLG

May–August

[Health] An email was sent to Anne Marie Farrelly, CEO Fingal County Council on the 25th June 2026, following a meeting with Remember Us, in relation to a proposed housing development in Balbriggan. The email provided an update on the meeting and Prosper's position on the proposal. The communication also acknowledged the positive working relationship between Prosper and Fingal County Council and expressed appreciation for their continued engagement.

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'AnnMarie Farrelly', 'role': 'Chief Executive Officer (Fingal County Council)'}

Irish Creamery Milk Suppliers Association

May–August

[Agriculture] Meeting of Tillage Vision Group

Public Officials Lobbied

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

Chartered Accountants Ireland

May–August

[Economic Development and Industry] Engagement at Accelerating Infrastructure conference run by Department of Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation.

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Jack Chambers', 'role': 'Minister (Department of Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform)'}

Motor Insurers' Bureau of Ireland (MIBI)

May–August

[Transport] Providing information to Department about Continuous Vehicle Coverage (CVC) and its potential utilisation

Public Officials Lobbied

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

Irish Pharmacy Union

May–August

[Health] Support for Pharmacies in Disadvantaged Areas

Public Officials Lobbied

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

Stratagem (NI) Ltd

on behalf of Yes (client not named)

May–August

[Health] Provision of audiology services and eye care services

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Email All Oireachtas Members', 'role': 'Briefing issued to all Oireachtas Members to outline Specsavers services across optometry and audiology'} {'name': 'Cathal Crowe', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Ruairí Ó Murchú', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': "Anne O'Connor", 'role': 'Chief Executive Officer (Health Service Executive)'} {'name': 'Derek Tierney', 'role': 'Secretary General (Department of Health)'} {'name': "Pádraig O'Sullivan", 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'}

Motor Insurers' Bureau of Ireland (MIBI)

May–August

[Transport] Discussion about uninsured driving and Continuous Vehicle Coverage (CVC)

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Michael Murphy', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Shane Moynihan', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Grace Boland', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Michael Collins', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Cathal Crowe', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Emer Currie', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} + 8 more

Chartered Accountants Ireland

May–August

[Employment] Engagement at National Economic Dialogue.

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Declan Hughes', 'role': 'Secretary General (Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment)'}

AONTAS

May–August

[Education and Training] Targeted engagement with Minister Lawless to discuss AONTAS’ Pre-Budget 2027 recommendations and advocate for increased investment in FET, adult and community education, and learner supports as part of Budget 2027

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'James Lawless', 'role': 'Minister (Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science)'} {'name': 'Harry McCann', 'role': 'Special Adviser (Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science)'}

Irish Creamery Milk Suppliers Association

May–August

[Agriculture] ICMSA highlighting the additional road safety concerns during the silage season.

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Email All Oireachtas Members', 'role': ''}

Down Syndrome Ireland

May–August

[Employment] Joint DSI/Down Syndrome Centre proposals concerning the operation and development of the Wage Subsidy Scheme and employment supports for people with Down syndrome.

Public Officials Lobbied

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

FleishmanHillard Brussels

on behalf of Yes (client not named)

May–August

[Finance] Market Integration and Supervision Package

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Billy Kelleher', 'role': 'MEP (European Parliament)'}

Sage Advocacy

May–August

[Health] Regulation of Independent Advocacy

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Kevin McCarthy', 'role': 'Secretary General (Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth)'}

National LGBT Federation

September–December

[Justice and Equality] CAHC email to party leaders and Ceann Comhairle in relation to statements from the Ceann Comhairle, Verona Murphy TD, on the rise in hate, threats, and disinformation targeting members of the Oireachtas, outlining our shared concerns, and calling for the constructive engagement between political representatives and civil society in shaping effective, rights-based responses.

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Micheál Martin', 'role': 'Tánaiste and Minister (Department of the Taoiseach)'} {'name': 'Ivana Bacik', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Simon Harris', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Holly Cairns', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Holly Cairns', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Holly Cairns', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} + 4 more

Rehab Group

September–December

[Social Protection] Attendance at DSP Consultative Forum and discussion with Ministerial Adviser and DSP officials about Wage Subsidy Scheme

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Emer Costello (Former DPO)', 'role': 'MEP (European Parliament)'} {'name': 'Craig Dwyer', 'role': 'Special Advisor (Department of Social Protection)'} {'name': 'Rónán Hession', 'role': 'Assistant Secretary (Department of Social Protection)'}

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)'}

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)'}

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)'}

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)'}

Autism Spectrum Information, Advice and Meeting Point Ltd, Trading as AsIAm

September–December

[Children and Youth Affairs] Engaged with Cllr Donna Phelan on supporting Kildare to become more Autism-Friendly

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Donna Phelan', 'role': 'Councillor (Kildare County Council)'}

Google Ireland Limited

September–December

[Economic Development and Industry] Online age assurance

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Ryan Meade (Former DPO)', 'role': 'Special Adviser (Department of Environment, Community and Local Government)'} {'name': 'Patrick O’Donovan', 'role': 'Minister (Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media)'} {'name': 'Marianne Cassidy', 'role': 'Assistant Secretary (Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform)'} {'name': 'Barry Lowry', 'role': 'Chief Information Officer (Department of Public Expenditure and Reform)'} {'name': 'Tríona Quill', 'role': 'Assistant Secretary (Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media)'}

Lobbying Tracker

Most Lobbied TDs