Overwatch Report

Ballina Chamber of Commerce

May–August

[Economic Development and Industry] Quarterly representation and updates with Mayo County Councillors/Ballina Municipal District Councillors on the big ticket project for Ballina during 2023; A YEAR OF CELEBRATION Honouring the past, celebrating the present, inspiring hope for the future. Ballina 2023 will mark 300 years since the formal establishment of the town. This tercentenary offers a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, to develop and participate in an exciting, inclusive year-long programme

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Jarlath Munnelly', 'role': 'Councillor (Mayo County Council)'} {'name': 'Annie May Reape', 'role': 'Councillor (Mayo County Council)'} {'name': 'Seamus Weir', 'role': 'Councillor (Mayo County Council)'} {'name': 'Michael Loftus', 'role': 'Councillor (Mayo County Council)'} {'name': 'Mark Duffy', 'role': 'Councillor (Mayo County Council)'} {'name': "John O'Hara", 'role': 'Councillor (Mayo County Council)'} + 5 more

Irish Rural Link Co-Operative Society Limited

May–August

[Communications] Meeting with Minister Ossian Smyth to discuss the ending of the Getting Citizens Online Computer Training Programme

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Ossian Smyth', 'role': 'Minister of State (Department of Environment, Climate and Communications)'}

Cork Chamber

May–August

[Economic Development and Industry] Net Zero Carbon Cities

Public Officials Lobbied

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

Limerick Chamber

May–August

[Economic Development and Industry] Affordable Housing, Living Cities Initiative and other matters critical to regional economic development

Public Officials Lobbied

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

Galway Chamber

May–August

[Tourism] Sister cities – Chicago & Milwaukee visit

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Martin Heydon', 'role': 'Minister of State (Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine)'} {'name': 'Clodagh Higgins', 'role': 'Councillor (Galway City Council)'} {'name': 'Michael Mogie Maher', 'role': 'Councillor (Galway County Council)'} {'name': 'Noel Larkin', 'role': 'Councillor (Galway City Council)'} {'name': 'Shelly Herterich Quinn', 'role': 'Councillor (Galway County Council)'} {'name': 'Geraldine Donohue', 'role': 'Councillor (Galway County Council)'}

North Dublin Home Care

September–December

[Health] The pandemic payment scheme was announced by Government in January 2022, now approaching the year-end and there was still no confirmation of a payment date. We represent a dedicated cohort of our citizens who worked to exhaustion in a high-risk environment over a two-year period, home support workers, let down by their government.

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Gary Gannon', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Paschal Donohoe', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Neasa Hourigan', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Mary Lou McDonald', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'}

Cuala Senior Care Limited

September–December

[Health] To secure, and participate in, meeting for Home Instead to advocate for the introduction of home care regulation in Ireland, providing for a reliable, sustainable financing model that allows citizens to financially plan for ageing and care. To highlight the need for regulation to also deliver improved working conditions for professional caregivers and create an attractive / competitive recruitment and retention environment.

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': "Roderic O'Gorman", 'role': 'Minister (Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth)'} {'name': 'Emer Higgins', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Jack Chambers', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'}

Citywide Drugs Crisis Campaign

September–December

[Health] Briefing on upcoming Citizens' Assembly on Drugs

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Email All Senators', 'role': ''} {'name': 'Email All TDs', 'role': ''}

Irish Development Education Association

September–December

[Education and Training] Discussion of EU policy in relation to the role of Global Citizenship Education in achieving objectives of the SDGs

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Emer Costello (Former DPO)', 'role': 'MEP (European Parliament)'} {'name': 'Barry Andrews', 'role': 'MEP (European Parliament)'}

Irish Development Education Association

September–December

[Education and Training] Discussion on education policy and the role of Global Citizenship Education in achieving objectives of the SDGs

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Emer Costello (Former DPO)', 'role': 'MEP (European Parliament)'} {'name': 'Malcolm Byrne', 'role': 'Senator (Seanad)'}

Vodafone Ireland

September–December

[Communications] Highlight concern about the impact that a review of ‘zero-rating’ practices, may have on our ability to offer Irish citizens free access to certain services of public value, such as charity, health, and education services.

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Eamon Ryan', 'role': 'Minister (Department of Environment, Climate and Communications)'} {'name': 'Ossian Smyth', 'role': 'Minister of State (Department of Environment, Climate and Communications)'} {'name': 'Michael McGrath', 'role': 'Minister (Department of Public Expenditure and Reform)'} {'name': 'Seán Kelly', 'role': 'MEP (European Parliament)'} {'name': 'Ciarán Cuffe', 'role': 'MEP (European Parliament)'} {'name': 'Billy Kelleher', 'role': 'MEP (European Parliament)'}

The Irish Farmers' Association - IFA

September–December

[Agriculture] Citizens' Assembly on Biodiversity Loss

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Eamon Ryan', 'role': 'Minister (Department of Environment, Climate and Communications)'} {'name': 'Timmy Dooley', 'role': 'Senator (Seanad)'} {'name': 'Brian Leddin', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': "Christopher O'Sullivan", 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Richard Bruton', 'role': 'Minister (Department of Education and Skills)'} {'name': 'Réada Cronin', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} + 12 more

Citi

September–December

[Banking and Financial Institutions] Meeting to discuss Citi’s European operations

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Michael J. McGrath', 'role': 'Assistant Secretary (Department of Finance)'} {'name': 'Oliver Gilvarry', 'role': 'Assistant Secretary (Department of Finance)'}

Irish Senior Citizens Parliament

September–December

[Social Protection] C&V Meeting relating to upcoming Budget

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Ossian Smyth', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Cormac Devlin', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Jennifer Carroll MacNeill', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'}

Irish Senior Citizens Parliament

September–December

[Community] Civic Forum Discussion meeting

Public Officials Lobbied

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

Irish Senior Citizens Parliament

September–December

[Social Protection] Post Budget Meeting with C& V Pillar

Public Officials Lobbied

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

Irish Senior Citizens Parliament

September–December

[Social Protection] Pre Budget Meeting

Public Officials Lobbied

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

Irish Exporters Association

January–April

[Public Expenditure and Reform] IEA submission National Development Plan: Encourage the further opening of nationally linked regional rail networks to enhance connectivity within regions and also with cities, ports and airports. The use of rail networks would also contribute to a greener supply chain, as a low carbon and potentially low-cost mode of transport for freight. Inter-modal connectivity will be key to this potential.

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Michael McGrath', 'role': 'Minister (Department of Public Expenditure and Reform)'}

TPA Research

on behalf of Yes (client not named)

January–April

[Transport] EU Recovery Fund, Provision of light rail services in regional cities, Use of hydrogen for rail services

Public Officials Lobbied

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

Association of Irish Local Government

January–April

[Arts] Proposing a role for Local Authorities in the development of a Night Time Economy in towns and Cities

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Cllr Mary Hoade (Former DPO)', 'role': 'Councillor (Galway County Council)'} {'name': 'Cllr John Joe Fennelly (Former DPO)', 'role': 'Councillor (Laois County Council)'} {'name': 'Catherine Martin', 'role': 'Minister (Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media)'}

PDFORRA Medical Assistance Scheme

January–April

[Health] The continued operation of the Cross-Border Healthcare Directive (CBD) between the Republic of ireland (ROI) and Northern Ireland following Brexit in respect of ROI citizens.

Public Officials Lobbied

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

Neville International

on behalf of Yes (client not named)

January–April

[Justice and Equality] Communication in relation to work visa applications to Ireland by non EEA citizens where a work permit has been obtained due skills shortages in the respective profession.

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Tom Neville (Former DPO)', 'role': 'TD (Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport)'} {'name': 'Michael Creed', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Tim Lombard', 'role': 'Senator (Seanad)'} {'name': 'Ciaran Cannon', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Bernard Durkan', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Seán Kyne', 'role': 'Senator (Seanad)'} + 1 more

Chambers Ireland

January–April

[Economic Development and Industry] Priorities for urban renewal, town centre first strategy and supporting towns and cities to recover

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Mary Lou McDonald', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'}

Chambers Ireland

January–April

[Development and Zoning] Sustainable cities and communities

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Neasa Hourigan', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'}

Chambers Ireland

May–August

[Economic Development and Industry] Re-opening towns and cities post COVID-19, infrastructure for urban spaces and Town Centre First

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Tim Lucey', 'role': 'CEO (Cork County Council)'} {'name': 'AnnMarie Farrelly', 'role': 'Chief Executive Officer (Fingal County Council)'}

Migrant Rights Centre Ireland

January–April

[Justice and Equality] Labour Party Bill Irish Nationality and Citizenship (Naturalisation of Minors Born in Ireland) Bill 2018

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Ivana Bacik', 'role': 'Senator (Seanad)'}

Tiernan Properties

January–April

[Economic Development and Industry] Discussion on public policy regarding regional cities generally and Limerick city centre specifically

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Michael McGrath', 'role': 'Minister (Department of Public Expenditure and Reform)'}

Tiernan Properties

January–April

[Development and Zoning] Email on public policy regarding regional cities generally and Limerick city centre specifically

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': "Willie O'Dea", 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': "Kieran O'Donnell", 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Brian Leddin', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': "Patrick O'Donovan", 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Vincent Murray', 'role': 'Director of Services or Equivalent (Limerick City and County Council)'} {'name': 'Pat Daly', 'role': 'Chief Executive Officer (Limerick City and County Council)'} + 1 more

The Wheel

January–April

[EU Affairs] Emma Murtagh, European Programmes Manager, and Ivan Cooper, Director of Public Policy at the Wheel hosted officials from Department of Foreign Affairs and Minister of State Thomas Byrne at the final conference for the Europe for Citizens programme on 25th February.

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Thomas Byrne', 'role': 'Minister of State (Department of the Taoiseach)'}

Irish Development Education Association

January–April

[Foreign Affairs] Six submissions to an Irish Aid consultation process to develop a new strategy for Global Citizenship and Development Education. The submissions each contained multiple 'asks' for public policy and funding decisions to support the Development Education sector.

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Ruairí de Búrca', 'role': 'Assistant Secretary (Department of Foreign Affairs)'}

Lobbying Tracker

Most Lobbied TDs