Overwatch Report

HR Policy Global [Europe]

September–December

[Employment] Emailed and phoned staff in offices of Sinn Féin employment spokespersons on the Employment (Collective Redundancies and Misc Provisions) and Companies (Amendment) Bill 2023 (No 76 of 2023) which is due for committee stage. Requested that they table an amendment which would give Irish-based European Works Councils access to the State’s dispute resolution procedures, if the need arises, when they have been informed and consulted over job losses.

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Derek Mooney (Former DPO)', 'role': 'Adviser to Minister (Department of Defence)'} {'name': 'Maurice Quinlivan', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': "Louise O'Reilly", 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Paul Gavan', 'role': 'Senator (Seanad)'}

Hanover Media Strategy Limited

on behalf of Yes (client not named)

September–December

[Transport] Sharing MPI's recommendations for Budget 2024

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Michael Lowry', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': "Darren O'Rourke", 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Lynn Boylan', 'role': 'Senator (Seanad)'} {'name': 'Martin Kenny', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Timmy Dooley', 'role': 'Senator (Seanad)'} {'name': "James O'Connor", 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} + 15 more

Arthur Cox LLP

on behalf of Yes (client not named)

September–December

[Taxation] Raise awareness of competitive disadvantage to European companies arising from the EU’s full implementation of the OECD’s minimum corporate tax rate before implementation by other major trading blocs

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Hildegarde Naughton', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Simon Coveney', 'role': 'Minister (Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment)'}

Courtown Community Council

September–December

[Development and Zoning] Letter in SUPPORT of the people of Rosslare and their campaign to 'SAVE THEIR NURSING HOME' and a request for full clarification on planning procedures and change of use policies for new developments in County Wexford.

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Aidan Browne', 'role': 'Councillor (Wexford County Council)'} {'name': 'Andrew Bolger', 'role': 'Councillor (Wexford County Council)'} {'name': 'Anthony Connick', 'role': 'Councillor (Wexford County Council)'} {'name': 'Anthony Donohoe', 'role': 'Councillor (Wexford County Council)'} {'name': 'Barbara Anne Murphy', 'role': 'Councillor (Wexford County Council)'} {'name': 'Bridín Murphy', 'role': 'Councillor (Wexford County Council)'} + 33 more

Chime

September–December

[Health] Development of public health programme to manage the high level of unaddressed hearing loss in Ireland and to consider the recommendations of a WHO report on ear and hearing care published in March 2021.

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Email All Oireachtas Members', 'role': 'Email outlined the reasons for the campaign and invited all TDs and senators to undertake a hearing screening in Leinster House on Nov 8th if they had any concerns re their own hearing.'} {'name': 'Victor Boyhan', 'role': 'Senator (Seanad)'} {'name': 'Tom Clonan', 'role': 'Senator (Seanad)'} {'name': 'Danny Healy-Rae', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Neasa Hourigan', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Martin Browne', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} + 29 more

Chime

September–December

[Education and Training] Publication of Educational outcomes for Deaf and Hard of Hearing children

Public Officials Lobbied

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

Doras Luimní

September–December

[Foreign Affairs] Letter calling for response to the humanitarian crisis in Gaza

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Leo Varadkar', 'role': 'Taoiseach (Department of the Taoiseach)'} {'name': 'Helen McEntee', 'role': 'Minister (Department of Justice)'} {'name': "Roderic O'Gorman", 'role': 'Minister (Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth)'}

Veon Limited

September–December

[Agriculture] A query was made in relation to why felling licences for windblown forests do not seem to be prioritised by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine and to find out the section in the Felling Act that may help such applications"

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Barry Delany', 'role': 'Director (Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine)'}

Irish Wildbird Conservancy

September–December

[Environment] Marine Protected Area Legislation

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Email All Oireachtas Members', 'role': 'To invite Oireachtas members to a presentation in the Audio-Visual room in the Dáil on 25th October. The presentation aimed to increase political support for the MPA Bill, and raise its priority.'} {'name': 'Lobby day All Oireachtas Members', 'role': 'In partnership with Fair Seas, BirdWatch Ireland organised an advocacy day in the Dáil. This included a presentation in the AV room followed by tea and coffee in Buswells Hotel. All Oireachtas members were invited to attend.'} {'name': 'Stephen Donnelly', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Stephen Donnelly', 'role': 'Minister (Department of Health)'} {'name': 'Simon Harris', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Simon Harris', 'role': 'Minister (Department of Further and Higher Education, Innovation and Science)'} + 35 more

NBI Infrastructure DAC

September–December

[Communications] Engagement and information sharing regarding the delivery of broadband infrastructure as part of the National Broadband Plan.

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Jo Lonergan (Former DPO)', 'role': 'Special Advisor (Department of Further and Higher Education, Innovation and Science)'} {'name': 'Anne Rabbitte', 'role': 'Minister of State (Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth)'} {'name': 'Simon Coveney', 'role': 'Minister (Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment)'} {'name': 'James Browne', 'role': 'Minister of State (Department of Justice)'} {'name': 'Pat Casey', 'role': 'Senator (Seanad)'} {'name': "Pauline O'Reilly", 'role': 'Senator (Seanad)'} + 16 more

Pieta House

September–December

[Health] Requested statutory support for Pieta's self-harm and suicide intervention programmes and for full implementation of Sharing the Vision

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Mary Butler', 'role': 'Minister of State (Department of Health)'} {'name': 'Richard Bruton', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Maria Byrne', 'role': 'Senator (Seanad)'} {'name': 'David Stanton', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': "Fergus O'Dowd", 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'David Cullinane', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} + 9 more

Nursing Homes Ireland

September–December

[Health] NHI wrote to Minister Butler following a parliamentary response provided by the Minister to Deputy Marian Harkin in Dáil Éireann on 28th November 2023.

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Mary Butler', 'role': 'Minister of State (Department of Health)'}

The Society of Actuaries in Ireland

September–December

[Finance] The Minister of State Jennifer Carroll MacNeill gave the keynote speech at our annual convention.

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Jennifer Carroll MacNeill', 'role': 'Minister of State (Department of Finance)'}

The Society of Actuaries in Ireland

September–December

[Education and Training] We contacted Ministers with a copy of our draft report on gender differentials in Leaving Certificate Higher-level Mathematics results and invited him to a webinar on this topic on 29th November

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Simon Harris', 'role': 'Minister (Department of Further and Higher Education, Innovation and Science)'} {'name': 'Norma Foley', 'role': 'Minister (Department of Education)'}

The Society of Actuaries in Ireland

September–December

[Social Protection] We sent a letter to Tim Duggan - the Assistant Secretary General at the Dept. of Social protection - on 17th Nov 2023 outlining our willingness to provide input to assist in the development of key areas of the auto-enrolment framework if it would be useful. We highlighted key areas where we consider particular care is needed.

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Tim Duggan', 'role': 'Assistant Secretary (Department of Social Protection)'}

221+ Patient Suport Group

September–December

[Health] Calls seeking clarification on the status of the Assisted Human Reproduction Bill and request for the draft legislation to be non-discriminatory in terms of relationship status.

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Mary Seery Kearney', 'role': 'Senator (Seanad)'}

Children's Books Ireland CLG

September–December

[Education and Training] We were asking for investment in school libraries and policies to support reading for pleasure for children and young people

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Letter All Oireachtas Members', 'role': 'Flyer sent on 5th September to all TDs and Senators - details can be found at https://childrensbooksireland.ie/news-events/righttobeareader-school-library-campaign-2024'} {'name': 'Email All Oireachtas Members', 'role': 'Email sent on 26 September to all TDs and Senators sharing our flyer asking for support for school libraries - details can be found at https://childrensbooksireland.ie/news-events/righttobeareader-school-library-campaign-2024'} {'name': 'Aine Doyle', 'role': 'Special Adviser (Department of Education)'} {'name': 'Norma Foley', 'role': 'Minister (Department of Education)'} {'name': 'Sorca Clarke', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Deirdre Gillane', 'role': 'Chief of Staff (Department of the Taoiseach)'} + 5 more

My Legacy CLG

September–December

[Budgetary matters] Pre-budget 2024 submission by My Legacy to encourage charitable legacy gifts in wills by way of fiscal and other incentives.

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Email All Oireachtas Members', 'role': "An email to all T.D.s and Senators on the 13th Sept 23 enclosing a copy of My Legacy's pre-Budget 2024 submission document."} {'name': 'John Hogan', 'role': 'Secretary General (Department of Finance)'} {'name': "Colm O'Reardon", 'role': 'Assistant Secretaries or Equivalent Grades (Department of Finance)'} {'name': 'John McCarthy', 'role': 'Chief Economist (Department of Finance)'} {'name': 'Emma Cunningham', 'role': 'Assistant Secretary (Department of Finance)'} {'name': 'Gary Tobin', 'role': 'Assistant Secretary (Department of Finance)'} + 4 more

Kathleen O'Meara Public Affairs Consultant

on behalf of Yes (client not named)

September–December

[Justice and Equality] The impact on the fundraising activities of charities in Ireland of the provisions of the Gambling Regulation Bill

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': "Kathleen O'Meara (Former DPO)", 'role': 'Senator (Seanad)'} {'name': 'Fiach Kelly', 'role': 'Special Adviser (Department of Justice)'} {'name': 'Patrick Costello', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Aodhán Ó Ríordáin', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'}

Dublin City Business Improvement District T/A DublinTown

September–December

[Justice and Equality] Letter in relation to potential unintended consequences arising from the proposed gambling legislation.

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'James Browne', 'role': 'Minister of State (Department of Justice)'}

MKC Communications

on behalf of Yes (client not named)

September–December

[Environment] To provide information on corrugated packaging and its circularity (recycling).

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Gerard Howlin (Former DPO)', 'role': 'Special Adviser (Department of the Taoiseach)'} {'name': 'Sean Kelly', 'role': 'MEP (European Parliament)'} {'name': 'Philip Nugent', 'role': 'Assistant Secretary (Department of Environment, Climate and Communications)'}

St. Joseph's Foundation

September–December

[Housing] Attended Oireachtas hearing on Inclusive Communities for persons with disabilities specifically spoke in relation to access to publicly funded appropriate housing for persons with an intellectual disablity.

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Michael Moynihan', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Pauline Tully', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Dessie Ellis', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Eileen Flynn', 'role': 'Senator (Seanad)'} {'name': 'Tom Clonan', 'role': 'Senator (Seanad)'}

Foras Muiridhe na h-Eireann (Maritime Institute of Ireland)

September–December

[Local Government] On the 10th October 2023 Michael Haugh (director) and Peadar Ward (Director) met with Councillor Denis O'Callaghan the Cathaoirleach of Dun Laoghaire Rathdown (DLR) County Council regarding the on going difficulties with the sewerage difficulties facing the museum. We also handed him a copy of the Engineer's report of the issue which he undertook to bring to the attention of Mr Frank Curran, CEO, DLR.

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': "Denis O'Callaghan", 'role': 'Councillor (Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council)'}

National Infertility Support and Information Group

September–December

[Health] NISIG is the only Irish charity supporting and advocating on behalf of those experiencing fertility issues. One of our primary aims is to ensure that equality is secured, and the human rights of children conceived using AHR, their intended parents and families are protected and advanced in legislation and policy, in addition to advocating for the introduction of an equitable & fair system of public funding.

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Caitríona Fitzpatrick (Former DPO)', 'role': 'Adviser to Minister (Department of Foreign Affairs)'} {'name': 'Email All Oireachtas Members', 'role': "NISIG emailed (with attached letter) all members of the Oireachtas, TD's & Senators our 2023 pre-budget submission in relation to the upcoming Assisted Human Reproduction Legislation. Two key asks in the pre-budget\nsubmission included a call for a wider and more sufficiently funded Public Funding system and & increased funding for the fertility hubs nationwide. Also that the eligibility and criteria for public funding be broad and inclusive & reflective of those who seek infertility treatment."}

Construction Industry Federation (CIF)

September–December

[Development and Zoning] Meeting between South East Branch CIF & Minister James Browne to discuss Development Contribution Scheme Waiver, Housing Delivery Unit, Local Housing Market, Finance, National Planning Framework, RZLT & Land Value Sharing, Planning, CIF Budget Submission, NDP, Skills Requirements.

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'James Browne', 'role': 'Minister of State (Department of Justice)'}

Migrant Rights Centre Ireland

September–December

[Justice and Equality] Regularisation for Undocumented People in Ireland

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Dónall Geoghegan', 'role': 'Chief of Staff (Department of the Taoiseach)'}

Daughters of Charity Community Services

September–December

[Education and Training] Meeting to celebrate 100 years of St. Mary's Early Years, within the Daughters of Charity Community Services. As part of the celebrations, we wished to advance knowledge of the particular one stop shop model (of education and training) that is offered in Henrietta Street within the local community. In the longer term we hoped to advance funding for Community Services

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': "Roderic O'Gorman", 'role': 'Minister (Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth)'} {'name': 'Marie Sherlock', 'role': 'Senator (Seanad)'} {'name': 'Gary Gannon', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Mary Fitzpatrick', 'role': 'Senator (Seanad)'}

ActionAid Ireland

September–December

[Foreign Affairs] ActionAid sent a coordinated letter with, Amnesty International Ireland, Christian Aid Ireland, Frontline Defenders, Global Legal Action Network, Irish Congress of Trade Unions, Ireland Palestine Solidarity Campaign, Sadaka - the Ireland Palestine Alliance, Trócaire to request a meeting with Minister Martin and set out the ongoing crises in Palestine.

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Micheál Martin', 'role': 'Tánaiste and Minister (Department of Foreign Affairs)'}

Irish Wildlife Trust CLG.

September–December

[Marine] Irish Marine Protected Area legislation, EU Nature Restoration Law, EU Biodiversity strategy

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Deirdre Clune', 'role': 'MEP (European Parliament)'} {'name': 'Billy Kelleher', 'role': 'MEP (European Parliament)'} {'name': 'Colm Markey', 'role': 'MEP (European Parliament)'} {'name': 'Chris MacManus', 'role': 'MEP (European Parliament)'} {'name': 'Sean Kelly', 'role': 'MEP (European Parliament)'} {'name': 'Maria Walsh', 'role': 'MEP (European Parliament)'} + 14 more

IRISH FISH PROCESSORS AND EXPORTERS ASSOCIATION

September–December

[Marine] The urgent need to provide the BAR liquidity scheme for fish processing, exporting and retail. As promised in the Seafood Taskforce.

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Charlie McConalogue', 'role': 'Minister (Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine)'} {'name': 'Dara Calleary', 'role': 'Minister of State (Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment)'} {'name': 'Micheál Martin', 'role': 'Tánaiste and Minister (Department of Foreign Affairs)'}

Lobbying Tracker

Most Lobbied TDs