Overwatch Report

Dublin Zoo

September–December

[Heritage] Requested a meeting to discuss Dublin Zoo and Fota Wildlife Park 10 year capital development plan , requested assistance with our Wild Lights project and sought to clarify a media article

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Paschal Donohoe', 'role': 'Minister (Department of Finance)'} {'name': 'Philip O’Callaghan', 'role': 'Special Adviser (Department of the Taoiseach)'} {'name': 'Malcolm Noonan', 'role': 'Minister of State (Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage)'} {'name': "Darragh O'Brien", 'role': 'Minister (Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage)'} {'name': 'Aodhán Ó Ríordáin', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Helen McEntee', 'role': 'Minister (Department of Justice and Equality)'} + 1 more

A&L Goodbody

on behalf of Yes (client not named)

September–December

[Taxation] Seeking to 1) amend S.847A Taxes Consolidation Act 1997 to adjust the system for tax relief on donations to approved sporting bodies; 2) amend Irish VAT Consolidation Act 2010 a) introduce a VAT compensation scheme; b) reduce the VAT rate on exercise classes; 3) amend Charities Act 2009 to extend charitable status to NGBs and LSPs; 4) introduce a) system of tax refund on certain costs associated with personal/recreational exercise; and b) Employee exercise scheme.

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Grant Sweetnam', 'role': 'Special Adviser (Department of Finance)'} {'name': 'Michael McGrath', 'role': 'Minister (Department of Finance)'}

The Irish Hospice Foundation

September–December

[Justice and Equality] Request for members of Irish Hospice Foundation to attend the gallery to listen to hearing of Joint Committee on Assisted Dying

Public Officials Lobbied

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

Cairn Homes plc

September–December

[Housing] General conversations with various DPOs (listed below) on the Irish residential construction industry and the broader housing market.

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Elaine Leech', 'role': 'Acting Director of Service (South Dublin County Council)'} {'name': 'Caroline Timmons', 'role': 'Assistant Secretary (Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage)'} {'name': 'AnnMarie Farrelly', 'role': 'Chief Executive Officer (Fingal County Council)'} {'name': 'Eoin Ó Broin', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Steven Matthews', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Frank Curran', 'role': 'Chief Executive Officer (Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council)'} + 6 more

Ecumenical Accompaniment Programme in Palestine and Israel

September–December

[Foreign Affairs] A call to action to our members asking them to lobby Irish parliamentarians to call for the protection of civilians in Israel and occupied Palestine following Hamas' attack on 7th October and subsequent Israeli military response.

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Email All Oireachtas Members', 'role': 'An email was sent to all our members asking them to contact Oireachtas Members.'}

Ecumenical Accompaniment Programme in Palestine and Israel

September–December

[Foreign Affairs] Members presented to Irish parliamentarians and advisers in the Dáil on the violations of international law by the Israeli government, including forced displacement and violence against Palestinian civilians in the South Hebron Hills region of occupied Palestine.

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Catherine Connolly', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Mairéad Farrell', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'}

Smurfit Kappa Group Limited

September–December

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

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Gerard Howlin (Former DPO)', 'role': 'Special Advisor (Department of the Taoiseach)'} {'name': 'Barbara Cullinane', 'role': 'Deputy Permanent Representative of Ireland to the European Union (Department of Foreign Affairs)'} {'name': 'Philip Nugent', 'role': 'Assistant Secretary (Department of Environment, Climate and Communications)'}

Cork Chamber

September–December

[Economic Development and Industry] SW Regional Enterprise Plan Working Group 5 -Marine, Circular Bioeconomy, Tourism and Energy Sectors

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Fearghal Reidy', 'role': 'Director of Services or Equivalent (Cork City Council)'}

Ballina Chamber of Commerce

September–December

[Housing] Meeting with Minister Darragh O'Brien, during a visit to the Innovation Quarter Ballina project - a redevelopment of the Barracks in the town centre, which is nearing completion.

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': "Darragh O'Brien", 'role': 'Minister (Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage)'} {'name': 'Dara Calleary', 'role': 'Minister of State (Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment)'}

Montague Communications Ltd

on behalf of Yes (client not named)

September–December

[Housing] Tackling high gearing levels experienced by Approved Housing Bodies delivering social housing

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Kevin Dillon', 'role': 'Special Adviser (Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage)'} {'name': "Darragh O'Brien", 'role': 'Minister (Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage)'}

Irish Distillers

September–December

[Economic Development and Industry] Irish Distillers' briefing to the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine on issues of relevance to the Irish Whiskey industry

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Colm Hayes', 'role': 'Assistant Secretary (Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine)'}

Health Research Charities Ireland

September–December

[Health] Response to Sinn Fein Priorities for Change in Health & Social Care, 2023 Consultation document

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'David Cullinane', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'}

Irish Distillers

September–December

[Economic Development and Industry] Sharing information on the Pernod Ricard QR Code regarding consumer information

Public Officials Lobbied

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

BioMarin International Limited

September–December

[Health] Rare disease policy in Ireland and the EU

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Catherine Ardagh', 'role': 'Senator (Seanad)'} {'name': "Pádraig O'Sullivan", 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Bernard Durkan', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'John Lahart', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Leo Varadkar', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Stephen Donnelly', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} + 37 more

Médecins Sans Frontières/Doctors Without Borders (MSF)

September–December

[Foreign Affairs] Alerting to the catastrophic humanitarian and medical situation in Gaza and the situation in Northern Gaza's hospitals

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Micheál Martin', 'role': 'Tánaiste and Minister (Department of Foreign Affairs)'} {'name': 'Leo Varadkar', 'role': 'Taoiseach (Department of the Taoiseach)'} {'name': 'Ivana Bacik', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Brendan Howlin', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Matt Carthy', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Gary Gannon', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} + 19 more

Ibec

September–December

[Taxation] Clarification on Ibec's position European Commission proposals

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Ossian Smyth', 'role': 'Minister of State (Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform)'}

Daughters of Charity Child and Family Service

September–December

[Budgetary matters] As a member of the wheel Letter written to the Taoiseach seeking pay equality for the community and voluntary sector

Public Officials Lobbied

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

FoodCloud

September–December

[Energy and Natural Resources] Various meetings at COP28

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Eamon Ryan', 'role': 'Minister (Department of Environment, Climate and Communications)'} {'name': 'Micheál Martin', 'role': 'Tánaiste and Minister (Department of Foreign Affairs)'} {'name': 'Charlie McConalogue', 'role': 'Minister (Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine)'}

DOCHAS - THE IRISH ASSOCIATION OF NON- GOVERNMENTAL DEVELOPMENT ORGANISATIONS

September–December

[Foreign Affairs] Meeting to discuss upcoming review of Charities Amendment Bill

Public Officials Lobbied

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

Bord Gáis Energy Ltd

September–December

[Energy and Natural Resources] Sharing detail around how Bord Gáis Energy was protecting customers from the worst of the energy crisis and investing in Ireland's security of supply

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': "Darren O'Rourke", 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'}

Ability West

September–December

[Employment] To raise awareness with public representatives around the issues pertaining to lack of pay parity between Section 38 and Section 39 Organisations

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Anne Rabbitte', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Peter Roche', 'role': 'Councillor (Galway County Council)'} {'name': 'Donagh Mark Killilea', 'role': 'Councillor (Galway County Council)'} {'name': 'Dáithí Ó Cualáin', 'role': 'Councillor (Galway County Council)'} {'name': 'Eddie Hoare', 'role': 'Councillor (Galway City Council)'} {'name': 'Paschal Donohoe', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} + 33 more

DOCHAS - THE IRISH ASSOCIATION OF NON- GOVERNMENTAL DEVELOPMENT ORGANISATIONS

September–December

[Foreign Affairs] Formal appearance with the Joint Committee to present evidence and update on current humanitarian crises and Dochas reaction to the ODA budget announcement for 2024

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Charles Flanagan', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Matt Carthy', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Réada Cronin', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Marc Ó Cathasaigh', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Barry Cowen', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Cathal Berry', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} + 8 more

Ability West

September–December

[Employment] Lettter sent by Ability West Mountbellew Service Users with assistance from staff to TD Sean Canney expressing their dissatisfaction but unwavering support of the proposed planned Strike Action on Pay Parity which was threatened in October 2023.

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Seán Canney', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'}

The Ronald McDonald House Charity Ireland

September–December

[Health] Ronald McDonald House Charity new House at the New Children's Hospital

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'David Cullinane', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'}

The Ronald McDonald House Charity Ireland

September–December

[Health] Ronald McDonald House Charity new House at the New Children's Hospital

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Bernard Gloster', 'role': 'Chief Executive Officer (Department of Health)'}

Veterinary Ireland

September–December

[Agriculture] Communications with the Deputy Chief Veterinary Officer and officials from the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, regarding Veterinary Ireland concerns on the Veterinary Medicinal Products, Medicated Feed and Fertilisers Regulation Act 2023.

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'June Fanning', 'role': 'Deputy Chief Veterinary Officer (Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine)'}

Ability West

September–December

[Employment] Email send to public representations in relation to the Section 39 pay parity issue and impending strike that was threatened in October 2023

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Alan Cheevers', 'role': 'Councillor (Galway City Council)'} {'name': 'Michael John Crowe', 'role': 'Councillor (Galway City Council)'} {'name': 'Alan Curran', 'role': 'Councillor (Galway City Council)'} {'name': 'Noel Larkin', 'role': 'Councillor (Galway City Council)'} {'name': 'Declan McDonnell', 'role': 'Councillor (Galway City Council)'} {'name': "Terry O'Flaherty", 'role': 'Councillor (Galway City Council)'} + 163 more

Stripe

September–December

[Economic Development and Industry] Attended Network Irlande Event at the Irish Embassy in Paris with Minister

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Neale Richmond', 'role': 'Minister of State (Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment)'}

Galetech Energy Developments Ltd

on behalf of Yes (client not named)

September–December

[Energy and Natural Resources] 1 Meeting held between Galetech Energy Developments Limited (GED) and the Department of Environment Climate and Communications (DECC) on the 7 December 2023. GED gave an update on its progress on ventures which would involve permitting under the Maritime Area Planning Act (MAP).

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'John Fingelton', 'role': 'Specialist (Department of Environment, Climate and Communications)'}

Archdiocese of Dublin

September–December

[Sports and Recreation] Every year the Parish ask South Dublin County Council to trim the hedges around the church grounds, because they trim hedges in the neighbouring estate.

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Shane Moynihan', 'role': 'Councillor (South Dublin County Council)'}

Lobbying Tracker

Most Lobbied TDs