Overwatch Report

An Post

January–April

[Communications] Post Office briefing outlining the role the Post Office can play in supporting e-Government strategy in bringing a wider range of government services to citizens.

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Ossian Smyth', 'role': 'Minister of State (Department of Public Expenditure and Reform)'} {'name': 'Eva-Elizabeth Dowling', 'role': 'Councillor (Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council)'}

Citi

January–April

[Public Expenditure and Reform] Citi's ability to provide banking services for foreign missions. Email to DPO John Conlan following the exit of one of its suppliers of payment services to Embassies from a small number of overseas markets, outlining Citi's global footprint and ability to provide this service.

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'John Conlan', 'role': 'Chief Financial Officer (Department of Foreign Affairs)'}

Irish Senior Citizens Parliament

January–April

[Health] Vaccine Roll Out

Public Officials Lobbied

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

Irish Senior Citizens Parliament

January–April

[Health] Meeting with Community & voluntary Pillar

Public Officials Lobbied

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

Irish Platform for Patients' Organisations, Science and Industry

May–August

[Health] Meeting with representatives of Slaintecare and Dept. of Health to share the findings of the IPPOSI Citizens' Jury on Access to Health Information

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Laura Magahy', 'role': 'Executive Manager (Department of Health)'}

Jesuit Centre for Faith and Justice

May–August

[Environment] Calling for a citizens assembly on Biodiversity

Public Officials Lobbied

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

Neville International

on behalf of Yes (client not named)

May–August

[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)'} + 6 more

Chambers Ireland

May–August

[Economic Development and Industry] Covid-19 supports for businesses, investment in towns and cities

Public Officials Lobbied

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

COPE Galway CLG

May–August

[Justice and Equality] A review of civil legal aid; seeking a commitment that the upcoming review of the civil legal aid system is comprehensive, meaningful, transparent, inclusive and participatory, incorporating the voices of citizens and stakeholders.

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Heather Humphreys', 'role': 'Minister (Department of Justice)'}

National Women's Council of Ireland

May–August

[Justice and Equality] Establishment of an oireachtas committee to act on the recommendations of the citizens assembly on gender equality

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Micheál Martin', 'role': 'An Taoiseach (Department of the Taoiseach)'} {'name': 'Leo Varadkar', 'role': 'An Tánaiste (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': "Roderic O'Gorman", 'role': 'Minister (Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth)'}

Environmental Pillar

May–August

[Environment] Requested updates regarding: carbon budgets and Climate Action Plan; Energy and LNG (Liquefied Natural Gas); Citizens Assembly on Biodiversity; civil society participation in social dialogue

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Eamon Ryan', 'role': 'Minister (Department of Environment, Climate and Communications)'} {'name': 'Paul Kenny', 'role': 'Special Adviser (Department of Environment, Climate and Communications)'} {'name': 'Anna Conlan', 'role': 'Chief of Staff (Department of the Taoiseach)'}

Environmental Pillar

May–August

[Environment] Requested update on NPWS review process and outcomes, the Citizens Assembly on Biodiversity and the implementation of Maritime Spatial Planning Directive

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Malcolm Noonan', 'role': 'Minister of State (Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage)'} {'name': 'Hannah Hamilton', 'role': 'Special Adviser (Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage)'}

Irish Senior Citizens Parliament

May–August

[Economic Development and Industry] meeting with Minister Brid Smith re the proposed INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS (PROVISIONS IN RESPECT OF PENSION ENTITLEMENTS OF RETIRED WORKERS) BILL 202

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Letter All TDs', 'role': ''} {'name': 'Letter All TDs', 'role': ''} {'name': 'Bríd Smith', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'}

Irish Senior Citizens Parliament

May–August

[Social Protection] Meeting with Community & voluntary Pillar to represent views of the various members on matters relating to Dept of Social Protection

Public Officials Lobbied

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

Irish Senior Citizens Parliament

May–August

[Justice and Equality] Meeting with Community & voluntary Pillar to represent views of the various members on matters relevant to the Dep and C&V embers

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Michael Flahive', 'role': 'Assistant Secretary (Department of Justice and Equality)'}

Irish Senior Citizens Parliament

May–August

[Economic Development and Industry] Rally outside Dail to influence vote relating to Industrial Relations Bill on Pension

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Richard Boyd Barrett', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Bríd Smith', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'}

Irish Senior Citizens Parliament

May–August

[Budgetary matters] Attended Budget Forum and submitted Budget Submission on behalf of Irish Senior Citizens Parliament

Public Officials Lobbied

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

Ballina Chamber of Commerce

May–August

[Energy and Natural Resources] Ballina's Decarbonising Committee & Green Town Initiative presented to the Ballina Municipal District Council outlining the ambitions and strategic plans for the next five years; ensuring Ballina is Irelands Greenest town by 2025. With particular reference to preserving/protecting a green zone space in Ballina Town Centre; ensure the town centre space is landscaped and utilised as a green space for citizens and visitors to Ballina enjoy, rather than the preferred c

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Mark Duffy', 'role': 'Councillor (Mayo County Council)'} {'name': 'Jarlath Munnelly', 'role': 'Councillor (Mayo County Council)'} {'name': 'Annie May Reape', 'role': 'Councillor (Mayo County Council)'} {'name': "John O'Hara", 'role': 'Councillor (Mayo County Council)'} {'name': 'Seamus Weir', 'role': 'Councillor (Mayo County Council)'} {'name': 'Michael Loftus', 'role': 'Councillor (Mayo County Council)'} + 1 more

Ibec

September–December

[Local Government] Dublin citizens' assembly on a directly elected mayor

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Peter Burke', 'role': 'Minister of State (Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage)'}

Hume Brophy

on behalf of Yes (client not named)

September–December

[Finance] Discussing the value of digital payments and Visa's market activities to promote digital inclusion for citizens and businesses

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Sean Fleming', 'role': 'Minister of State (Department of Finance)'} {'name': 'Damien English', 'role': 'Minister of State (Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment)'} {'name': 'Michael McGrath', 'role': 'Minister (Department of Public Expenditure and Reform)'} {'name': "Adrian O'Neill", 'role': 'Second Secretary General (Department of Foreign Affairs)'}

Ana Liffey Drug Project

September–December

[Health] Citizen’s Assembly to consider matters relating to drug use.

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Lynn Ruane', 'role': 'Senator (Seanad)'}

Cormac McKay

September–December

[Justice and Equality] Petition for Citizens assembly

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Martin Browne', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Pat Buckley', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Cormac Devlin', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Brendan Griffin', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Emer Higgins', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': "Richard O'Donoghue", 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} + 5 more

Union for Improved Services, Communication and Education (UISCE)

September–December

[Community] UISCE met with Senator Lynn Ruane to discuss drug policy in Ireland and how to increase the participation of People Who Use Drugs in drug policy. UISCE was subsequently invited to meeting to discuss a Citizens Assembly on Drugs. In attendance were Andy O Hara and Lynn Jefferies from UISCE as well as Lynn Ruane and her assistant.

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Lynn Ruane', 'role': 'Senator (Seanad)'}

Neville International

on behalf of Yes (client not named)

September–December

[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. Communicating industry findings and challenges with visa application system. Communicating of Workforce Ireland's questions and answers on specific applications.

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Tom Neville (Former DPO)', 'role': 'TD (Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport)'} {'name': 'Bernard Durkan', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'James Browne', 'role': 'Minister of State (Department of Justice)'} {'name': 'Garrett Ahern', 'role': 'Senator (Seanad)'} {'name': 'Helen McEntee', 'role': 'Minister (Department of Justice)'}

Tiernan Properties

September–December

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

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Marian Harkin', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Niall Collins', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'}

Tiernan Properties

September–December

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

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Pat Daly', 'role': 'Chief Executive Officer (Limerick City and County Council)'}

Environmental Pillar

September–December

[Environment] Requested updates on Citizens Assembly on Biodiversity and Review of NPWS

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Hannah Hamilton', 'role': 'Special Adviser (Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage)'} {'name': 'Eamon Ryan', 'role': 'Minister (Department of Environment, Climate and Communications)'} {'name': 'Malcolm Noonan', 'role': 'Minister of State (Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage)'} {'name': 'Paul Kenny', 'role': 'Special Adviser (Department of Environment, Climate and Communications)'} {'name': 'David Healy', 'role': 'Special Adviser (Department of the Taoiseach)'}

Irish Senior Citizens Parliament

September–December

[Community] Meeting with Minister O Brien to create an awareness of the need for ongoing support for advocacy work for older people and address the need for ongoing resourced support based on the impact of Covid

Public Officials Lobbied

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

Irish Senior Citizens Parliament

September–December

[Trade] Meeting with Minister Brid Smith re the proposed INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS (PROVISIONS IN RESPECT OF PENSION ENTITLEMENTS OF RETIRED WORKERS) BILL 202

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Email All Oireachtas Members', 'role': "Emails also went to Senators\nLetters also sent to TD's & Senators"} {'name': 'Bríd Smith', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'}

Irish Senior Citizens Parliament

September–December

[Trade] Meeting with Minister English to secure a commitment that retired workers would as a right be part of the agreed consultation process for the proposed pensions Bill

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Brid Smith (Former DPO)', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Damien English', 'role': 'Minister of State (Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment)'}

Lobbying Tracker

Most Lobbied TDs