Overwatch Report

The Wheel

January–April

[Community] Deirdre Garvey, CEO at The Wheel, participated in the Shared Island Civil Society Dialogue on 25th March, at which Taoiseach Micheal Martin and departmental officials in the Department of the Taoiseach also participated.

Public Officials Lobbied

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

The Wheel

January–April

[Community] Sarah Monaghan, Campaigns Manager at The Wheel, emailed Holly Cairns TD on 3 Feb to invite her to speak at an event on Thursday the 11th March.

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Holly Cairns', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'}

The Wheel

January–April

[Community] Sarah Monaghan, Campaigns Manager at The Wheel, emailed Senator Eileen Flynn on 4 March to invite her to speak at an event on 20 May.

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Eileen Flynn', 'role': 'Senator (Seanad)'}

John Gallagher

on behalf of Yes (client not named)

January–April

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

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Grant Sweetnam', 'role': 'Special Adviser (Department of Public Expenditure and Reform)'} {'name': 'Deborah Sweeney', 'role': 'Special Adviser (Department of Finance)'} {'name': 'Paschal Donohoe', 'role': 'Minister (Department of Finance)'} {'name': 'Michael McGrath', 'role': 'Minister (Department of Public Expenditure and Reform)'} {'name': 'Eamon Ryan', 'role': 'Minister (Department of Environment, Climate and Communications)'} {'name': 'Leo Varadkar', 'role': 'Minister (Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment)'} + 4 more

The Wheel

May–August

[Community] Deirdre Garvey communicated with Minister Joe O'Brien to organise a pre-recorded conversation later in the month.

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': "Joe O'Brien", 'role': 'Minister of State (Department of Rural and Community Development)'}

The Wheel

May–August

[Community] Deirdre Garvey held a public conversation with Minister Joe O'Brien on a variety of subjects relevant to the community and voluntary sector

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': "Joe O'Brien", 'role': 'Minister of State (Department of Rural and Community Development)'}

The Wheel

May–August

[Community] Officials within the Department of the Taoiseach and the Department of Rural and Community Development were contacted in relation to The Wheel's Summit 2021 event.

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': "Joe O'Brien", 'role': 'Minister of State (Department of Rural and Community Development)'} {'name': 'Anne Marie McNally', 'role': 'Special Adviser (Department of Rural and Community Development)'} {'name': 'Micheál Martin', 'role': 'An Taoiseach (Department of the Taoiseach)'}

The Wheel

May–August

[Community] Deirdre Garvey met with Kevin McCarthy to discuss progress of the suite of strategies being developed by the Department of Rural and Community Development for the community and voluntary sector.

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Kevin McCarthy', 'role': 'Secretary General (Department of Rural and Community Development)'}

The Wheel

May–August

[Community] Deirdre Garvey met with Taoiseach Micheál Martin and Ministers Leo Varadkar and Eamon Ryan as part of a formal dialogue with the Department of the Taoiseach to discuss models of future social dialogue.

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Micheál Martin', 'role': 'Taoiseach (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Leo Varadkar', 'role': 'An Tánaiste (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Eamon Ryan', 'role': 'Minister (Department of Environment, Climate and Communications)'}

The Wheel

May–August

[Health] Ivan Cooper attended and engaged in a Health Dialogue Forum workshop about the continuing relationship between the State and the Community and voluntary sector in the area of health.

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Robert Watt', 'role': 'Secretary General (Department of Health)'}

The Wheel

May–August

[Community] Ivan Cooper presented on the needs of the community and voluntary sector at the National Economic Dialogue.

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Paschal Donohoe', 'role': 'Minister (Department of Finance)'}

The Wheel

May–August

[Community] Lily Power attended the Department of Social Protection's Pre-Budget Forum.

Public Officials Lobbied

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

The Wheel

May–August

[EU Affairs] Emma Murtagh met with several MEPs to discuss Access Europe and the EU Engage project.

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': "Grace O'Sullivan", 'role': 'MEP (European Parliament)'} {'name': 'Billy Kelleher', 'role': 'MEP (European Parliament)'} {'name': 'Deirdre Clune', 'role': 'MEP (European Parliament)'} {'name': 'Clare Daly', 'role': 'MEP (European Parliament)'} {'name': 'Seán Kelly', 'role': 'MEP (European Parliament)'} {'name': 'Frances Fitzgerald', 'role': 'MEP (European Parliament)'} + 2 more

John Gallagher

on behalf of Yes (client not named)

May–August

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

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Grant Sweetnam', 'role': 'Special Adviser (Department of Public Expenditure and Reform)'} {'name': 'Deborah Sweeney', 'role': 'Special Adviser (Department of Finance)'} {'name': 'Michael McGrath', 'role': 'Minister (Department of Public Expenditure and Reform)'} {'name': 'Micheál Martin', 'role': 'An Taoiseach (Department of the Taoiseach)'} {'name': 'Paul Donnelly', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': "Joe O'Brien", 'role': 'Minister of State (Department of Rural and Community Development)'} + 2 more

The Wheel

September–December

[Education and Training] Deirdre Garvey, CEO and Ivan Cooper, Director of Public Policy, met with William Beausang of the Department of Education and Skills to discuss approaches to meeting the future training needs of employees in the non-profit sector.

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'William Beausang', 'role': 'Assistant Secretary (Department of Education and Skills)'}

The Wheel

September–December

[Community] Ivan Cooper met with Minister Joe'O'Brien and representative from the Department of Rural and Community Development to brief them on issues relating to reform of the Charities Act.

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': "Joe O'Brien", 'role': 'Minister of State (Department of Rural and Community Development)'}

The Wheel

September–December

[Public Expenditure and Reform] Ivan Cooper met Minister Hildegarde Naughton as a member of the Alliance for Insurance Reform to brief the Minister on issues that need to be addressed in order to bring down the cost of insurance in Ireland.

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Hildegarde Naughton', 'role': 'Minister of State (Department of Justice)'}

The Wheel

September–December

[Community] Deirdre Garvey, Ivan Cooper and Sarah Monaghan met with senior officials at the Department of Rural and Community Development to brief them on the upcoming We Act campaign.

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Bairbre Nic Aongusa', 'role': 'Assistant Secretary (Department of Rural and Community Development)'}

The Wheel

September–December

[Community] Sarah Monaghan and Claire McGowran of The Wheel met Lord Mayor, Alison Gilliland TD, to brief her on the upcoming We Act campaign.

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Alison Gilliland', 'role': 'Councillor (Dublin City Council)'}

The Wheel

September–December

[Community] Sarah Monaghan and Claire McGowran of The Wheel held an informational webinar about the We Act campaign for members of the Oireachtas, counsellors, and representatives from PPNs and other community organisations.

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Brian McKenna', 'role': 'Councillor (Monaghan County Council)'} {'name': "Guss O'Connell", 'role': 'Councillor (South Dublin County Council)'} {'name': 'Donna Cooney', 'role': 'Councillor (Dublin City Council)'} {'name': 'Elena Secas', 'role': 'Councillor (Limerick City and County Council)'} {'name': 'Róisín Garvey', 'role': 'Senator (Seanad)'} {'name': 'Carrie Smyth', 'role': 'Councillor (Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council)'} + 2 more

The Wheel

September–December

[Health] The Wheel signed a joint letter to Minister Stephen Donnelly from community and voluntary organisations working in the area of health and social care. The letter highlighted the concerns and recommendations of these organisations in the wake of the COVID-19 crisis.

Public Officials Lobbied

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

The Wheel

September–December

[Children and Youth Affairs] The Wheel signed a joint letter to senior ministers and party spokespeople from community and voluntary organisations working in the area of children and youth affairs. The letter highlighted ongoing concerns around funding sustainability and building a supportive policy environment.

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': "Roderic O'Gorman", 'role': 'Minister (Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth)'} {'name': 'Anne Rabbitte', 'role': 'Minister of State (Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth)'} {'name': 'Kathleen Funchion', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Paschal Donohoe', 'role': 'Minister (Department of Public Expenditure and Reform)'} {'name': 'Michael McGrath', 'role': 'Minister (Department of Public Expenditure and Reform)'} {'name': 'Fergal Lynch', 'role': 'Secretary General (Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth)'} + 3 more

The Wheel

September–December

[Social Protection] Lily Power attended the Community and Voluntary Pillar bilateral with the Department of Social Protection on behalf of The Wheel.

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Teresa Leonard', 'role': 'Assistant Secretary (Department of Social Protection)'}

The Wheel

September–December

[Community] Deirdre Garvey, CEO, signed a joint letter to Kevin McCarthy (DRCD) regarding a review & reform of the Charities Act legislation

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Kevin McCarthy', 'role': 'Secretary General (Department of Rural and Community Development)'}

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 sector

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Grant Sweetnam', 'role': 'Special Adviser (Department of Public Expenditure and Reform)'} {'name': 'Michael McGrath', 'role': 'Minister (Department of Public Expenditure and Reform)'} {'name': 'Paul Donnelly', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': "Joe O'Brien", 'role': 'Minister of State (Department of Rural and Community Development)'} {'name': 'Anne Marie McNally', 'role': 'Special Adviser (Department of Rural and Community Development)'} {'name': 'Ed Brophy', 'role': 'Special Adviser (Department of Finance)'}

Brighter Communities Worldwide

January–April

[Budgetary matters] The Wheel campaign action: "Ask Your Local Candidate to Sign the Stronger Communities, Stronger Ireland Campaign Manifesto

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Pat Buckley', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Seán Sherlock', 'role': 'Minister of State (Department of Foreign Affairs)'} {'name': 'Seán Sherlock', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': "Kevin O'Keeffe", 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'David Stanton', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Liam Quaide', 'role': 'Councillor (Cork County Council)'} + 2 more

The Ronald McDonald House Charity Ireland

January–April

[Community] The Wheel - Stronger Communities Stronger Ireland A 2020 General Election Manifesto. In Ireland, charities, community and voluntary organisations, and social enterprises provide essential services in areas such as health and disability, social care, education, housing, poverty relief, the arts and sport in every constituency in Ireland, as well as contributing to international development. Charities are the often unseen undercurrent which powers our communities, driving positive soci

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Email All Oireachtas Members', 'role': "Not 'all' in any group. Selection of general election candidates who were Ministers, Ministers of State, councillors or Senators at the time. \nOnly offered an 'all' selection"} {'name': 'Email All Councillors', 'role': "Not 'all' in any group. Selection of general election candidates who were Ministers, Ministers of State, councillors or Senators at the time. \nOnly offered an 'all' selection"} {'name': 'Andrew Doyle', 'role': 'Minister of State (Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine)'} {'name': 'Katherine Zappone', 'role': 'Minister (Department of Children and Youth Affairs)'} {'name': 'Paul Kehoe', 'role': 'Minister of State (Department of Defence)'} {'name': 'Leo Varadkar', 'role': 'Minister (Department of Defence)'} + 43 more

The Wheel

January–April

[Community] The Wheel organised Information sessions and hustings for candidates in the forthcoming general election.

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Peter Kavanagh', 'role': 'Councillor (South Dublin County Council)'}

The Wheel

January–April

[Community] The Wheel emailed all general election candidates with our manifesto Stronger Communities, Stronger Ireland, asking them to support the community and voluntary sector either as a newly elected member of the Dáil or in their ongoing political work.

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Email All TDs', 'role': 'The Wheel emailed prospective TDs standing in the 2020 general election on 17 January. The full manifesto can be read at: https://www.wheel.ie/policy-and-research/campaigns/stronger-communities/4asks.'} {'name': 'Leo Varadkar', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Michael Ring', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Paschal Donohoe', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'John Carroll', 'role': 'Head of Unit (Department of the Taoiseach)'} {'name': 'Daniel Rowan', 'role': 'Special Adviser (Department of Rural and Community Development)'} + 8 more

The Wheel

January–April

[Community] Met with Irish MEPs as part of a study trip to Brussels for community and voluntary sector organisations organised by the European Commission in Ireland

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': "Grace O'Sullivan", 'role': 'MEP (European Parliament)'} {'name': 'Maria Walsh', 'role': 'MEP (European Parliament)'} {'name': 'Seán Kelly', 'role': 'MEP (European Parliament)'} {'name': 'Barry Andrews', 'role': 'MEP (European Parliament)'} {'name': 'Mairead McGuinness', 'role': 'MEP (European Parliament)'} {'name': 'Frances Fitzgerald', 'role': 'MEP (European Parliament)'} + 3 more

Lobbying Tracker

Most Lobbied TDs