Overwatch Report

County Carlow Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Tourism CLG

September–December

[Economic Development and Industry] Ramifications from the war in Ukraine and what our MEPs can highlight at EU level regarding the increased costs for businesses

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Ciarán Cuffe', 'role': 'MEP (European Parliament)'} {'name': 'Frances Fitzgerald', 'role': 'MEP (European Parliament)'} {'name': 'Chris MacManus', 'role': 'MEP (European Parliament)'} {'name': 'Deirdre Clune', 'role': 'MEP (European Parliament)'} {'name': 'Billy Kelleher', 'role': 'MEP (European Parliament)'} {'name': "Grace O'Sullivan", 'role': 'MEP (European Parliament)'} + 2 more

County Carlow Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Tourism CLG

September–December

[Energy and Natural Resources] The development of climate change initiatives at EU level

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Ciarán Cuffe', 'role': 'MEP (European Parliament)'} {'name': 'Frances Fitzgerald', 'role': 'MEP (European Parliament)'} {'name': 'Chris MacManus', 'role': 'MEP (European Parliament)'} {'name': 'Deirdre Clune', 'role': 'MEP (European Parliament)'} {'name': 'Billy Kelleher', 'role': 'MEP (European Parliament)'} {'name': "Grace O'Sullivan", 'role': 'MEP (European Parliament)'} + 3 more

County Carlow Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Tourism CLG

September–December

[Trade] Ireland’s political relationship with the United Kingdom post-Brexit

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Ciarán Cuffe', 'role': 'MEP (European Parliament)'} {'name': 'Frances Fitzgerald', 'role': 'MEP (European Parliament)'} {'name': 'Chris MacManus', 'role': 'MEP (European Parliament)'} {'name': 'Deirdre Clune', 'role': 'MEP (European Parliament)'} {'name': 'Billy Kelleher', 'role': 'MEP (European Parliament)'} {'name': "Grace O'Sullivan", 'role': 'MEP (European Parliament)'} + 3 more

County Carlow Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Tourism CLG

September–December

[Trade] International Trade and opportunities for Irish businesses

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Ciarán Cuffe', 'role': 'MEP (European Parliament)'} {'name': 'Frances Fitzgerald', 'role': 'MEP (European Parliament)'} {'name': 'Chris MacManus', 'role': 'MEP (European Parliament)'} {'name': 'Deirdre Clune', 'role': 'MEP (European Parliament)'} {'name': 'Billy Kelleher', 'role': 'MEP (European Parliament)'} {'name': "Grace O'Sullivan", 'role': 'MEP (European Parliament)'} + 3 more

County Carlow Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Tourism CLG

September–December

[Education and Training] Event marking the relaunch of Barrow Consultancy & Training

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Simon Harris', 'role': 'Minister (Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science)'} {'name': "Jennifer Murnane O'Connor", 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'}

County Carlow Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Tourism CLG

September–December

[Energy and Natural Resources] Better and increased supports for businesses towards transitioning

Public Officials Lobbied

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

County Carlow Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Tourism CLG

September–December

[Energy and Natural Resources] Supports for businesses towards transitioning

Public Officials Lobbied

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

County Carlow Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Tourism CLG

September–December

[Environment] There are several concerns locally in relation to the maintenance of the towpath and other areas along the river barrow, particularly in around Carlow town

Public Officials Lobbied

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

County Carlow Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Tourism CLG

September–December

[Finance] Use of Mastercard type cards as gift cards. The spend on these cards can be used online internationally, and they are unregulated

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Michael McGrath', 'role': 'Minister (Department of Public Expenditure and Reform)'} {'name': "Jennifer Murnane O'Connor", 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'}

County Carlow Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Tourism CLG

September–December

[Heritage] Courthouse Railings, has been a ongoing issue for too long and it is vital that progress moves forward

Public Officials Lobbied

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

County Carlow Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Tourism CLG

September–December

[Housing] Carlow is under supplied in terms of houseing. There is a need to see further development of houseing and student accomodation in the area

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Michael McGrath', 'role': 'Minister (Department of Public Expenditure and Reform)'} {'name': "Jennifer Murnane O'Connor", 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'John McGuinness', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Malcolm Noonan', 'role': 'Minister of State (Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage)'}

County Carlow Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Tourism CLG

September–December

[Local Government] There are issues with the baseline funding measure and it is important to ensure that LA's are properlu funded

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Michael McGrath', 'role': 'Minister (Department of Public Expenditure and Reform)'} {'name': "Jennifer Murnane O'Connor", 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'John McGuinness', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Malcolm Noonan', 'role': 'Minister of State (Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage)'}

County Carlow Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Tourism CLG

September–December

[Local Government] Across the EU we are focused on removing boundaries and borders between counties and regions, however locally we see issues daily in how Local Authorities and Local Enterprise offices Connect with busienss and communities.

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Seán Kelly', 'role': 'MEP (European Parliament)'} {'name': "Jennifer Murnane O'Connor", 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Malcolm Noonan', 'role': 'Minister of State (Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage)'} {'name': 'John McGuinness', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'}

County Carlow Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Tourism CLG

September–December

[Local Government] Town Centre first is complex and further incentives are needed to bring buildings back into use, too many are aimed at owner occupier

Public Officials Lobbied

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

County Carlow Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Tourism CLG

September–December

[Local Government] Town Centre vacancy is an issue and with a considerable need for housing in terms of both short and long term, we need to do more to bring vacant lstock back into use.

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Micheál Martin', 'role': 'An Taoiseach (Department of the Taoiseach)'} {'name': "Jennifer Murnane O'Connor", 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'John McGuinness', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'}

County Carlow Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Tourism CLG

September–December

[Local Government] The CEO of Carlow LA retired in October, and the CEO of Kilkenny LA finished last April, both are now under actong CEO control, the process is very slow and the Public Appointments Service needs to get theeir act together in relation to appointments and filling roles in a more timely manner

Public Officials Lobbied

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

County Carlow Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Tourism CLG

September–December

[Tourism] The River Barrow is a vital resource and it is vital that it is presented and maintained in the best way possible to attract tourists and support the local and regional economic development

Public Officials Lobbied

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

County Carlow Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Tourism CLG

September–December

[Economic Development and Industry] Carlow 2040 plans are moving very slow and there is considerable red tape to be processed, it is vital that we see the process move forward.

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Malcolm Noonan', 'role': 'Minister of State (Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage)'} {'name': "Jennifer Murnane O'Connor", 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'John McGuinness', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Michael Rainey', 'role': 'Director of Services or Equivalent (Carlow County Council)'}

County Carlow Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Tourism CLG

September–December

[Economic Development and Industry] Carlow has high levels of local indigenous business and limited FDI

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Michael McGrath', 'role': 'Minister (Department of Public Expenditure and Reform)'} {'name': "Jennifer Murnane O'Connor", 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'John McGuinness', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'}

County Carlow Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Tourism CLG

September–December

[Economic Development and Industry] Carlow Business Awards 2022

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': "Jennifer Murnane O'Connor", 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Malcolm Noonan', 'role': 'Minister of State (Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage)'} {'name': "Brian O'Donoghue", 'role': 'Councillor (Carlow County Council)'} {'name': 'John Pender', 'role': 'Councillor (Carlow County Council)'}

County Carlow Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Tourism CLG

September–December

[Economic Development and Industry] Celebrating Excellence

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Michael Doran', 'role': 'Councillor (Carlow County Council)'}

County Carlow Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Tourism CLG

January–April

[Development and Zoning] Project Carlow 2040, funding application towards regeneration of Carlow and a catalyst for the future direction

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Malcolm Noonan', 'role': 'Minister of State (Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage)'} {'name': 'John McGuinness', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': "Jennifer Murnane O'Connor", 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'John Paul Phelan', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Kathleen Funchion', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'}

County Carlow Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Tourism CLG

January–April

[Banking and Financial Institutions] Issues in relation to the Credit Guarantee Scheme and SBCI loans. Businesses are getting SBCI approval and then having issues accessing the finance

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Kathleen Funchion', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Malcolm Noonan', 'role': 'Minister of State (Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage)'} {'name': 'John Paul Phelan', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': "Jennifer Murnane O'Connor", 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'John McGuinness', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'}

County Carlow Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Tourism CLG

January–April

[Local Government] Changes are needed in the current model used to determine/calculate subvention funding

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Malcolm Noonan', 'role': 'Minister of State (Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage)'} {'name': 'John McGuinness', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': "Jennifer Murnane O'Connor", 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'John Paul Phelan', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Kathleen Funchion', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'}

County Carlow Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Tourism CLG

January–April

[Development and Zoning] Project Carlow 2040, funding application towards regeneration of Carlow and a catalyst for the future direction

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Malcolm Noonan', 'role': 'Minister of State (Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage)'} {'name': 'John McGuinness', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': "Jennifer Murnane O'Connor", 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'John Paul Phelan', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Kathleen Funchion', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'}

County Carlow Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Tourism CLG

January–April

[Economic Development and Industry] Stay and spend tax break has not been a success as it stands. The measure was introduced to support and has not worked

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Malcolm Noonan', 'role': 'Minister of State (Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage)'} {'name': "Jennifer Murnane O'Connor", 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'John McGuinness', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Kathleen Funchion', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'John Paul Phelan', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'}

County Carlow Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Tourism CLG

January–April

[Development and Zoning] Planning system is too bureaucratic adding excessive costs to projects making them unviable. The impacts of this are wide and affect ability to attract funding, expansion projects and also most notably the possibility of returning many above shop units in towns to a viable use

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Malcolm Noonan', 'role': 'Minister of State (Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage)'} {'name': 'John McGuinness', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'John Paul Phelan', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': "Jennifer Murnane O'Connor", 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Kathleen Funchion', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'}

County Carlow Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Tourism CLG

January–April

[Economic Development and Industry] Supports for Business, the delivery of same and also it is vital that the supports are there to assist businesses even once we start to reopen the economy as that will be a key measure of the success of working with businesses

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Malcolm Noonan', 'role': 'Minister of State (Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage)'} {'name': "Jennifer Murnane O'Connor", 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'John Paul Phelan', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Kathleen Funchion', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'John McGuinness', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'}

County Carlow Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Tourism CLG

January–April

[Economic Development and Industry] CRSS has been too restrictive and it needs to be more accessible to a wider cohort of businesses.

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Malcolm Noonan', 'role': 'Minister of State (Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage)'} {'name': 'John McGuinness', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': "Jennifer Murnane O'Connor", 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'}

County Carlow Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Tourism CLG

January–April

[Transport] Carlow town bus service. The NTA has advised that this project has been once again delayed/postponed/parked due to lack of funding to take the project forward

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Malcolm Noonan', 'role': 'Minister of State (Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage)'} {'name': 'John McGuinness', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': "Jennifer Murnane O'Connor", 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Kathleen Funchion', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'John Paul Phelan', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'}

Lobbying Tracker

Most Lobbied TDs