Overwatch Report

Social Justice Ireland

May–August

[Budgetary matters] Emailed several DPOs inviting them to the launch of Social Justice Ireland's submission ahead of Budget 2019, followed by an email with a link to a free download of the pdf of the document

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Email All Oireachtas Members', 'role': 'Sent an email inviting Oireachtas members to the launch of Budget Choices, followed by an email to a free download of the pdf of the document'} {'name': 'Email All MEPs', 'role': 'Sent an email inviting MEPs to the launch of Budget Choices, followed by an email to a free download of the pdf of the document'}

Special Olympics Ireland

January–April

[Sports and Recreation] Three briefing meetings were held ahead of Special Olympics Ireland's June 2018 Games. Representatives from all Dublin area councils were invited to these. These briefing meetings took the form of lunches which took place at The Gibson Hotel, Eastpoint St, North Dock, Dublin, D01 X2P2, on 15th March 2018 and 12th April 2018, and at the National Indoor Arena on the National Sports Campus on 10th May 2018.

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Philomena Poole', 'role': 'CEO (Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council)'} {'name': 'Paul Reid', 'role': 'CEO (Fingal County Council)'} {'name': 'Danny McLoughlin', 'role': 'Chief Executive Officer (South Dublin County Council)'} {'name': 'Owen Keegan', 'role': 'CEO (Dublin City Council)'} {'name': 'Tom McHugh', 'role': 'Director of Services or Equivalent (Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council)'} {'name': 'Richard Shakespeare', 'role': 'Director of Services or Equivalent (Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council)'}

Special Olympics Ireland

May–August

[Sports and Recreation] On 21st May 2018 Special Olympics Ireland met with James Breslin from the Department of Health ahead of our June 2018 Games to discuss these Games

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Jim Breslin', 'role': 'Secretary General (Department of Health)'}

Irish Creamery Milk Suppliers Association

January–April

[Agriculture] ICMSA Press Release: ICMSA disappointed as Minister insist that inspections go ahead.

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Email All Oireachtas Members', 'role': ''}

DOCHAS - THE IRISH ASSOCIATION OF NON- GOVERNMENTAL DEVELOPMENT ORGANISATIONS

January–April

[Foreign Affairs] Email briefing ahead of the Dail debate on overseas development assistance

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Paschal Donohoe', 'role': 'Minister (Department of Finance)'} {'name': 'Simon Harris', 'role': 'Minister (Department of Health)'} {'name': 'Simon Coveney', 'role': 'Minister (Department of Foreign Affairs)'} {'name': 'Helen McEntee', 'role': 'Minister of State (Department of Foreign Affairs)'} {'name': 'Ciarán Cannon', 'role': 'Minister of State for the Diaspora and Overseas Development Aid (Department of Foreign Affairs)'} {'name': 'Kevin Boxer Moran', 'role': 'Minister of State (The Office of Public Works)'} + 90 more

Oxfam Ireland

May–August

[Foreign Affairs] Circulation of two Oxfam aid policy documents - a briefing on ODA and Oxfam Ireland's submission to the JCFAT in their review of Irish Aid - ahead of a Dáil Debate discussing the JCFAT's review of Irish Aid

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Eamon Ryan', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Richard Boyd Barrett', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Mick Wallace', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Clare Daly', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Brendan Howlin', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Seán Crowe', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} + 8 more

AHEAD

May–August

[Education and Training] Letter to the Ombudsman regarding a student who needs a PA out of college hours without which he will be unable to complete his studies

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Jacqui McCrum', 'role': 'Director General (The Office of the Ombudsman)'}

Cork Chamber

May–August

[Environment] Meeting ahead of vote on Morrison's Island Part 8 flood defence scheme

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'John Buttimer', 'role': 'Councillor (Cork City Council)'} {'name': 'P.J. Hourican', 'role': 'Councillor (Cork City Council)'} {'name': 'Terry Shannon', 'role': 'Councillor (Cork City Council)'} {'name': 'Des Cahill', 'role': 'Councillor (Cork City Council)'} {'name': 'Sean Martin', 'role': 'Councillor (Cork City Council)'} {'name': 'Stephen Cunningham', 'role': 'Councillor (Cork City Council)'} + 3 more

Irish Tax Institute

May–August

[Taxation] A Q&A on digital taxation ahead of the Oireachtas committee hearing on 03/05/18

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'John McGuinness', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'}

Vodafone Ireland

September–December

[EU Affairs] As a member of the 5G Automotive Assocation, shared the latest position on supporting the establishment of a technology neutral and forward-looking C-ITS regulatory framework in Europe, ahead of the C-ITS Expert Group meeting on 3 October in Brussels.

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Ray O’Leary', 'role': 'Assistant Secretary (Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport)'}

Vodafone Ireland

September–December

[EU Affairs] Discussions outlining ongoing concerns as a 5GAA member regarding the draft C-ITS Delgated Act and the absence of a technology neutral approach ahead of the EC Member States Expert Group meeting on December 5th.

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Ray O’Leary', 'role': 'Assistant Secretary (Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport)'}

AHEAD

September–December

[Education and Training] The DARE Scheme and the impact of recent changes re the application of students with disabilities.

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Peter Tyndall', 'role': 'Chief Information Officer (The Office of the Ombudsman)'}

Oxfam Ireland

September–December

[Justice and Equality] Correspondence with TDs ahead of the Second Stage of the International Protection (Family Reunification) (Amendment) Bill 2017

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Brian Stanley', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Ruth Coppinger', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Michael Lowry', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Michael Harty', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Michael Fitzmaurice', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Michael Collins', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} + 9 more

Chambers Ireland

September–December

[Economic Development and Industry] Contacted Fine Gael senators to outline businesses concerns around certain provisions in the employment (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2017 ahead of committee stage in the Seanad

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Email All Senators', 'role': ''} {'name': 'Jerry Buttimer', 'role': 'Senator (Seanad)'} {'name': 'Colm Burke', 'role': 'Senator (Seanad)'} {'name': 'Paddy Burke', 'role': 'Senator (Seanad)'} {'name': 'Ray Butler', 'role': 'Senator (Seanad)'} {'name': 'Maria Byrne', 'role': 'Senator (Seanad)'} + 14 more

Chambers Ireland

September–December

[Justice and Equality] Contacted Fine Gael senators to outline businesses concerns around certain provisions in the employment (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2017 ahead of committee stage in the Seanad

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Email All Senators', 'role': ''} {'name': 'Jerry Buttimer', 'role': 'Senator (Seanad)'} {'name': 'Colm Burke', 'role': 'Senator (Seanad)'} {'name': 'Paddy Burke', 'role': 'Senator (Seanad)'} {'name': 'Ray Butler', 'role': 'Senator (Seanad)'} {'name': 'Maria Byrne', 'role': 'Senator (Seanad)'} + 12 more

Chambers Ireland

September–December

[Economic Development and Industry] Contacted Ministers to outline businesses' concerns around certain provisions in the Employment (Miscellaneous Provision) Bill 2017 ahead of Committee stage in Seanad Eireann

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Leo Varadkar', 'role': 'Taoiseach (Department of the Taoiseach)'} {'name': 'Eoghan Murphy', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Richard Bruton', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Josepha Madigan', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Joe McHugh', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Regina Doherty', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} + 9 more

Chambers Ireland

September–December

[Justice and Equality] Contacted Ministers to outline businesses' concerns around certain provisions in the Employment (Miscellaneous Provision) Bill 2017 ahead of Committee stage in Seanad Eireann

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Leo Varadkar', 'role': 'Taoiseach (Department of the Taoiseach)'} {'name': 'Eoghan Murphy', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Richard Bruton', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Josepha Madigan', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Joe McHugh', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Regina Doherty', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} + 9 more

Cork Chamber

September–December

[Budgetary matters] Meeting with DFIN ahead of Budget 2019

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Derek Moran', 'role': 'Secretary General (Department of Finance)'} {'name': 'John McCarthy', 'role': 'Chief Economist (Department of Finance)'} {'name': 'John Hogan', 'role': 'Assistant Secretary (Department of Finance)'} {'name': 'Gary Tobin', 'role': 'Assistant Secretary (Department of Finance)'}

Simon Communities of Ireland

January–April

[Housing] Outlining of proposals that the Simon Communities have regarding vacant housing ahead of the strategy to be published by the Housing Agency

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Email All Oireachtas Members', 'role': ''}

Airbnb Ireland UC

May–August

[Housing] Providing written evidence submission to the Oireachtas Committee for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government ahead of and after a Committee evidence session

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Eoin Ó Broin', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Barry Cowen', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': "Fergus O'Dowd", 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Maria Bailey', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Mattie McGrath', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Pat Casey', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} + 5 more

eircom Limited

May–August

[Communications] Outline eir's activities ahead of European Commission mobile roaming initiative

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Denis Naughten', 'role': 'Minister (Department of Environment, Climate and Communications)'}

ALONE

September–December

[Housing] Ahead of Emergency Housing Summit on Sept 7, 2017, a letter from ALONE CEO was sent via email to the Chief Executive of each county council.

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Tim Lucey', 'role': 'CEO (Cork County Council)'} {'name': 'Ann Doherty', 'role': 'Chief Executive Officer (Cork City Council)'} {'name': 'Tommy Ryan', 'role': 'CEO (Cavan County Council)'} {'name': 'Tommy Ryan', 'role': 'CEO (Roscommon County Council)'} {'name': 'Pat Dowling', 'role': 'Deputy Chief Executive (Limerick City and County Council)'} {'name': 'Pat Dowling', 'role': 'CEO (Clare County Council)'} + 8 more

Cork Chamber

September–December

[EU Affairs] Chamber delegation to Brussels ahead of Phase 1 Brexit agreement

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Deirdre Clune', 'role': 'MEP (European Parliament)'} {'name': 'Seán Kelly', 'role': 'MEP (European Parliament)'} {'name': 'Brian Hayes', 'role': 'MEP (European Parliament)'} {'name': 'Mairead McGuinness', 'role': 'MEP (European Parliament)'} {'name': 'Matt Carthy', 'role': 'MEP (European Parliament)'} {'name': 'Marian Harkin', 'role': 'MEP (European Parliament)'} + 1 more

Peter McVerry Trust

September–December

[Housing] Broad ranging discussion with Minister for Housing in relation to homeless service provision ahead of Christmas 2017 and social housing acceleration in 2018.

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Eoghan Murphy', 'role': 'Minister (Department of Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government)'} {'name': 'John McCarthy', 'role': 'Secretary General (Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government)'} {'name': 'Mary Hurley', 'role': 'Assistant Secretary (Department of Environment, Community and Local Government)'}

Retailers Against Smuggling

September–December

[Trade] Invitation to RAS roundtable on Brexit, the border and the black market; Email ahead of Budget 2018 to inform TDs that RAS believe that until measures are taken to effectively tackle smuggling to protect small businesses, there should be no further increase in excise

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Email All TDs', 'role': 'Budget 2018 email sent to all TDs'}

The Wheel

January–April

[Community] We communicated with various DPOs congratulating them on their election success / appointment and noting that we were "looking forward to working with you in the months and years ahead to support a thriving community and voluntary sector at the heart of a fair and just Ireland"

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Enda Kenny', 'role': 'Taoiseach (Department of the Taoiseach)'} {'name': 'Brian Hayes', 'role': 'MEP (European Parliament)'} {'name': 'Simon Coveney', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Stephen Donnelly', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Catherine Murphy', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Eamon Ryan', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} + 46 more

Unite the Union, Ireland Region

January–April

[Social Protection] Unite Finance Sector Group and Retired Members' Steering Committee sought meeting with party spokespersons ahead of the General Election to discuss pension policy

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Aengus Ó Snodaigh', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Brid Smith', 'role': 'Councillor (Dublin City Council)'} {'name': 'Catherine Byrne', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Catherine Murphy', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Eamon Ryan', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Finian McGrath', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} + 4 more

Immigrant Council of Ireland

January–April

[Justice and Equality] Email sent to all Senators (Jan 11th) ahead of Seanad debate on Sexual Offences Bill, seeking support for same and drawing attention to the Immigrant Council of Ireland's frontline work in this area.

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': "Jerry O'Connor (Former DPO)", 'role': '- (-)'} {'name': 'Email All Senators', 'role': '11th Jan 2016\n\nDear Senator,\n\nThe Immigrant Council of Ireland has today published figures showing that our frontline services and Independent Law Centre has supported and represented 31 victims of human trafficking for sexual exploitation in the past year (see below).\n\nI am forwarding our press release in the hope it will be of assistance if you intend to contribute to the resumed Seanad debate on the Sexual Offences Bill on Thursday next.\n\nAs you will be aware the bill includes laws targeting the buyers of sex – which have the full support of every frontline agency working with women and girls sex trafficked into and around Ireland.\n\nIf you require any further information please do not hesitate to contact me.\n\nYours sincerely,\nBrian Killoran, \nChief Executive,\nImmigrant Council of Ireland'}

Immigrant Council of Ireland

January–April

[Justice and Equality] Briefing Note to all TD's on Sexual Offences Bill ahead of Dáil debate

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': "Jerry O'Connor (Former DPO)", 'role': '- (-)'} {'name': 'Email All Oireachtas Members', 'role': "A briefing email forwarded to all TD's on January 25th ahead of the debate of the Sexual Offences Bill. The email highlighted that Irish prostitution is run by organised crime and that the legislation enjoys the support of every frontline organisation supporting women in prostitution and those working with victims of sex trafficking."}

Immigrant Council of Ireland

January–April

[Justice and Equality] Refugee and Migration Crisis - Framing Ireland's response, note to all TDs (26th April) ahead of Dáil Statements

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': "Jerry O'Connor (Former DPO)", 'role': '- (-)'} {'name': 'Email All TDs', 'role': "All TD's were emailed on 26th April ahead of Dáil Statements on the refugee and migration crisis. The email set out concerns about the EU-Turkey deal and possible violation of human rights, in addition it called for Ireland to honour all its commitments in responding to the crisis - in particular attention was drawn to the low level of men, women and children arriving here when a commitment was made to offer safety to 4,000. The work of the Immigrant Council of Ireland in framing the debate and highlighting the need for humanitarian action was highlighted in the subsequent Dáil contributions."}

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