Overwatch Report

The Union of Students in Ireland

January–April

[Education and Training] Teaching of the Irish Language at all levels of education

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Tomás Ó Ruairc', 'role': 'Assistant Secretary (Department of Education)'}

Engineers Ireland

January–April

[Housing] Engagement with the Department of Housing concerning the operation of the Enhanced Defective Concrete Blocks Grant Scheme and the work of engineers providing service under the auspices of the Scheme.

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Aine Stapleton', 'role': 'Assistant Secretary (Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage)'} {'name': 'Graham Doyle', 'role': 'Secretary General (Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage)'} {'name': 'Kevin Dillon', 'role': 'Special Adviser (Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage)'}

The Union of Students in Ireland

January–April

[Community] Engagement with Roderic O'Gorman TD in relation to the Constitutional Referenda held on the 8th of March.

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': "Roderic O'Gorman", 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': "Roderic O'Gorman", 'role': 'Minister (Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth)'}

Irish National Organisation of the Unemployed

January–April

[Budgetary matters] As part of the Community Platform, the INOU met with Paul Donnelly, Sinn Fein on the Platform’s election manifesto. The Platform has prioritised four key areas it is asking political parties and independents to address: eradication of poverty; delivery of a universal public model of early years care and education and school age childcare; implementation of an effective model of collaborative governance; creation of inclusive, resilient, sustainable and empowered communities.

Public Officials Lobbied

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

Breakthrough Cancer Research

January–April

[Health] Raising the legal age of sale of tobacco from 18 to 21 (Tobacco21).

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Stephen Donnelly', 'role': 'Minister (Department of Health)'}

Ballina Chamber of Commerce

January–April

[Tourism] Quarterly meeting Tourism, Recreation, Food and Community Engagement SPC

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Seamus Weir', 'role': 'Councillor (Mayo County Council)'} {'name': 'Michael Kilcoyne', 'role': 'Councillor (Mayo County Council)'} {'name': "John O'Hara", 'role': 'Councillor (Mayo County Council)'} {'name': 'Peter Flynn', 'role': 'Councillor (Mayo County Council)'} {'name': 'Paul McNamara', 'role': 'Councillor (Mayo County Council)'} {'name': 'Michael Loftus', 'role': 'Councillor (Mayo County Council)'} + 1 more

Ballina Chamber of Commerce

January–April

[Education and Training] Quarterly meeting of the Corporate, Education, Culture, Heritage and Library Services SPC

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Gerry Coyle', 'role': 'Councillor (Mayo County Council)'} {'name': 'Michael Burke', 'role': 'Councillor (Mayo County Council)'} {'name': 'Michael Loftus', 'role': 'Councillor (Mayo County Council)'} {'name': 'Donna Sheridan', 'role': 'Councillor (Mayo County Council)'} {'name': 'Blackie Gavin', 'role': 'Councillor (Mayo County Council)'} {'name': 'Gerry Murray', 'role': 'Councillor (Mayo County Council)'}

Diageo Ireland

May–August

[Community] Invited Minister Catherine Martin to visit the Rupert Guinness Theatre to examine its potential future community use

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Meghan McSweeney', 'role': 'Special Adviser (Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media)'} {'name': 'Catherine Martin', 'role': 'Minister (Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media)'}

Diageo Ireland

January–April

[Local Government] Discussions regarding St James’s Gate Operations and future business plans, opportunities and challenges

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Seamas McGrattan', 'role': 'Councillor (Dublin City Council)'} {'name': 'Nial Ring', 'role': 'Councillor (Dublin City Council)'} {'name': 'Ray McAdam', 'role': 'Councillor (Dublin City Council)'} {'name': "Damian O'Farrell", 'role': 'Councillor (Dublin City Council)'} {'name': 'Christy Burke', 'role': 'Councillor (Dublin City Council)'} {'name': 'Michael Pidgeon', 'role': 'Councillor (Dublin City Council)'} + 5 more

Diageo Ireland

January–April

[Heritage] A letter to Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media, regarding the VFI campaign to have the Irish pub included in UNESCO world heritage list.

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Catherine Martin', 'role': 'Minister (Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media)'}

Diageo Ireland

January–April

[Local Government] Engaging with DCC traffic mgt on proposed traffic management plans

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Brendan O’Brien', 'role': 'Director of Services or Equivalent (Dublin City Council)'}

Irish Bioenergy Association

January–April

[Energy and Natural Resources] Updated and briefed the Roscommon County Council Manager Shane Tiernan on the work of the Irish Bioenergy Asscoaition (IrBEA) and the bioenergy sectors role in climate action and decarbonisation at the launch of Roscommon Climate Action Plan.

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Shane Tiernan', 'role': 'Director of Services or Equivalent (Roscommon County Council)'}

Credit Union Managers Association

January–April

[Banking and Financial Institutions] Digital Operational Resilience Act (DORA)

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Neale Richmond', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Neale Richmond', 'role': 'Minister of State (Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment)'} {'name': 'Declan Burgess', 'role': 'Councillor (Tipperary County Council)'}

Women for Election

January–April

[Local Government] Engagement with Departments on Organisational Funding

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': "Roderic O'Gorman", 'role': 'Minister (Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth)'} {'name': 'Alan Dillon', 'role': 'Minister of State (Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage)'}

National Youth Council of Ireland

May–August

[Social Protection] Rate of jobseekers' allowance for all young people aged under 25 years

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Grace McManus (Former DPO)', 'role': 'Councillor (Wicklow County Council)'} {'name': 'Email All Oireachtas Members', 'role': "A copy of NYCI's pre-budget submission was sent to Oireachtas members which contains a submission on equalising jobseekers allowance for u25's"} {'name': 'Francis Noel Duffy', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Heather Humphreys', 'role': 'Minister (Department of Social Protection)'} {'name': 'John McKeon', 'role': 'Secretary General (Department of Social Protection)'} {'name': "Joe O'Brien", 'role': 'Minister of State (Department of Social Protection)'}

Comhlámh

January–April

[Community] Comhlámh added their signature to a letter led by the Hope & Courage Collective asking the government to counter the emergence of far right narratives

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Leo Varadkar', 'role': 'Taoiseach (Department of the Taoiseach)'}

National Youth Council of Ireland

May–August

[Employment] Sub-minima rates of National Minimum Wage

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Grace McManus (Former DPO)', 'role': 'Councillor (Wicklow County Council)'} {'name': 'Letter All TDs', 'role': "Hard copy of NYCI's 'State of Our Young Nation' research report was posted to all TDs in June which included the above policy recommendations, along with a cover letter from CEO Mary Cunningham"} {'name': 'Submission All Oireachtas Members', 'role': "Copy of NYCI's pre-budget submission sent to all Oireachtas members which contains recommendation of the removal of sub-minimum rates of pay based on age"} {'name': 'Heather Humphreys', 'role': 'Minister (Department of Social Protection)'} {'name': 'John McKeon', 'role': 'Secretary General (Department of Social Protection)'}

Limerick Chamber

May–August

[Justice and Equality] Encourage greater communication from the Department of Justice, regarding the IRP process as well as Garda Numbers

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Helen McEntee', 'role': 'Minister (Department of Justice)'} {'name': 'Simon Harris', 'role': 'An Taoiseach (Department of the Taoiseach)'} {'name': 'Peter Burke', 'role': 'Minister (Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment)'} {'name': "Kieran O'Donnell", 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': "Willie O'Dea", 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Brian Leddin', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} + 3 more

Coalition 2030

May–August

[Children and Youth Affairs] Lobbying of TDs to progress Future Generations Commission Bill 2023 to next stage

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Simon Harris', 'role': 'An Taoiseach (Department of the Taoiseach)'} {'name': 'Colm Brophy', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Ged Nash', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Brendan Howlin', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Jennifer Whitmore', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Gary Gannon', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} + 23 more

Dungarvan & West Waterford Chamber

May–August

[Development and Zoning] Communications and language relating to the proposed development is high level and not engaging for general public. Consultation period also getting lost in local and European elections. Suggest better messaging on the benefits of the offshore project to the location.

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Eamon Ryan', 'role': 'Minister (Department of Environment, Climate and Communications)'} {'name': 'Marc Ó Cathasaigh', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': "Grace O'Sullivan", 'role': 'MEP (European Parliament)'}

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

May–August

[Justice and Equality] Refuge Development

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Dr Stephanie O’Keeffe', 'role': 'Chief Executive Officer (Department of Justice)'}

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

May–August

[EU Affairs] Briefing on the EU Directive to combat Violence Against Women and Domestic Violence

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Frances Fitzgerald', 'role': 'MEP (European Parliament)'}

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

May–August

[Justice and Equality] Presentation at MOVE/MEND Annual Conference 'From Harm to Hope' 7th June 2024

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Dr Stephanie O’Keeffe', 'role': 'Chief Executive Officer (Department of Justice)'} {'name': 'Helen McEntee', 'role': 'Minister (Department of Justice)'}

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

May–August

[Justice and Equality] Remote Witness Hearing Pilot Project

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Bernard Durkan', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Helen McEntee', 'role': 'Minister (Department of Justice)'}

Construction Industry Federation (CIF)

May–August

[Development and Zoning] General Meeting with Cork City Council covering Cork City Development Plan, Taking In Charge, Compact Growth, Sustainable Drainage, Housing Delivery.

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Brian Geaney', 'role': 'Assistant Chief Executive (Cork City Council)'} {'name': 'Fearghal Reidy', 'role': 'Director of Services or Equivalent (Cork City Council)'}

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

May–August

[Justice and Equality] Safe Ireland Pay and Conditions Report

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Dr Stephanie O’Keeffe', 'role': 'Chief Executive Officer (Department of Justice)'}

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

May–August

[Justice and Equality] Domestic Violence Data

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Dr Stephanie O’Keeffe', 'role': 'Chief Executive Officer (Department of Justice)'}

National Association of Regional Game Councils

January–April

[Heritage] The Association made representations in relation Open Seasons order.

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Malcolm Noonan', 'role': 'Minister of State (Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage)'}

Limerick Chamber

May–August

[Development and Zoning] Encouraged a mixed-tenure approach for IPAS accommodation provision in Limerick

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': "Roderic O'Gorman", 'role': 'Minister (Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth)'} {'name': "Kieran O'Donnell", 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Maria Byrne', 'role': 'Senator (Seanad)'} {'name': "Willie O'Dea", 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Niall Collins', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': "Patrick O'Donovan", 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'}

Crosscare

May–August

[Food] On 23.7.24 Yvonne Fleming of Crosscare emailed Min. Joe O Brien thanking him for the support message he put on social media about the donation Crosscare Food Services received from Taylor Swift.

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': "Joe O'Brien", 'role': 'Minister of State (Department of Social Protection)'}

Lobbying Tracker

Most Lobbied TDs