Overwatch Report

Dublin Chamber of Commerce

September–December

[Transport] Letter to the Minister for Transport regarding Shovel-Ready Projects

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': "Darragh O'Brien", 'role': 'Minister (Department of Transport)'}

John Gallagher

on behalf of Yes (client not named)

September–December

[Foreign Affairs] To promote the work of the Sudanese Doctors Union of Ireland on the war in Sudan

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'John Lahart', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Seán Ó Fearghaíl', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Paschal Donohoe', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Mary Lou McDonald', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Ivana Bacik', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Gary Gannon', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} + 1 more

Avista

September–December

[Health] Invitation to Autism Resource Booklet launch in partnership with Danu Special School

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Jack Chambers', 'role': 'Minister (Department of Finance)'} {'name': 'Paul Donnelly', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': "Roderic O'Gorman", 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Ruth Coppinger', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Emer Currie', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Mary Lou McDonald', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} + 2 more

Rare Diseases Ireland

September–December

[Health] Orphan Medicines - The access challenge & consequences for those affected

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Email All Oireachtas Members', 'role': 'Invitation to attend the Rare Disease All Party Group meeting on the topic of Orphan Medicines to highlight the challenges and delays with accessing orphan medicines in Ireland and the opportunities for early access schemes and reform of the reimbursement system.'} {'name': "Pádraig O'Sullivan", 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'John Lahart', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Anne Rabbitte', 'role': 'Senator (Seanad)'} {'name': 'Peter Burke', 'role': 'Minister (Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment)'} {'name': 'Erin McGreehan', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} + 8 more

Dublin Chamber of Commerce

September–December

[Energy and Natural Resources] Submission on Water to the Cost of Doing Business Advisory Group

Public Officials Lobbied

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

Dublin Chamber of Commerce

September–December

[Transport] Dublin Chamber's response to Government's Accelerating Infrastructure Action Plan

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Email All Oireachtas Members', 'role': 'Press release - https://www.dublinchamber.ie/News-and-Media/Press-Releases/ArtMID/1536/ArticleID/1727/Accelerating-Infrastructure-Taskforce-Recommendations-Must-Be-Implemented'}

John Gallagher

on behalf of Yes (client not named)

September–December

[Community] Promotion of Policies of The Wheel for charity, social enterprise and community and voluntary organisationsuntary sector

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Jack Chambers', 'role': 'Minister (Department of Finance)'} {'name': 'Mark Wall', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'John Hogan', 'role': 'Secretary General (Department of Finance)'} {'name': 'Ged Nash', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Ivana Bacik', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Tony McCormack', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'}

Dublin Chamber of Commerce

September–December

[Public Expenditure and Reform] Dublin Chamber's response to Government's Accelerating Infrastructure Action Plan

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Email All Oireachtas Members', 'role': 'Press release - https://www.dublinchamber.ie/News-and-Media/Press-Releases/ArtMID/1536/ArticleID/1727/Accelerating-Infrastructure-Taskforce-Recommendations-Must-Be-Implemented'}

John Gallagher

on behalf of Yes (client not named)

September–December

[Energy and Natural Resources] Developmet of facilities for renewable energy

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': "Darragh O'Brien", 'role': 'Minister (Department of Climate, Energy and the Environment)'}

Dublin Chamber of Commerce

September–December

[Public Expenditure and Reform] Dublin Chamber's response to Government's Accelerating Infrastructure Action Plan

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Email All Oireachtas Members', 'role': 'Press release - https://www.dublinchamber.ie/News-and-Media/Press-Releases/ArtMID/1536/ArticleID/1727/Accelerating-Infrastructure-Taskforce-Recommendations-Must-Be-Implemented'}

Avista

September–December

[Health] Minister Emer Higgins and Deputy Emer Currie visit to Avista Clonsilla

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Emer Currie', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Emer Higgins', 'role': 'Minister of State (Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth)'}

The Irish Co-operative Organisation Society Ltd

September–December

[Agriculture] CMO Regulation

Public Officials Lobbied

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

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)'}

Lobbying Tracker

Most Lobbied TDs