Overwatch Report

mytaxi network Ireland (trading as FREE NOW)

January–April

[Taxation] Outreach and meetings with the Minister for Finance and key finance representatives to discuss VAT liabilities in the taxi industry and to call for the end of the use of the reverse-charge mechanism for VAT invoicing in the taxi sector.

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Paschal Donohoe', 'role': 'Minister (Department of Finance)'} {'name': 'Pearse Doherty', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': "Cian O'Callaghan", 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Ged Nash', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'}

mytaxi network Ireland (trading as FREE NOW)

January–April

[Transport] Outreach to the Minister for Transport and key transport representatives highlighting issues impacting transport and the taxi sector.

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': "Darragh O'Brien", 'role': 'Minister (Department of Transport)'} {'name': 'Jennifer Whitmore', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Pa Daly', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Ciarán Ahern', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Barry Heneghan', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Richard Boyd Barrett', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'}

Irish Cycling Campaign CLG

January–April

[Transport] Voiced support for continued investment in BusConnects, Metrolink and other public transport initiatives. Highlighted need for enabling multi-modal journeys, especially in rural areas. Voiced support for reform of Road Safety Authority.

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': "Darragh O'Brien", 'role': 'Minister (Department of Transport)'}

Irish Council for International Students (ICOS)

January–April

[Housing] Emailed Senator to request that they support the Prohibition of Advertising or Importuning Sex for Rent Bill 2025 in Second Stage debate

Public Officials Lobbied

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

UNICEF Ireland

January–April

[Children and Youth Affairs] Letter to Minister Foley on her appointment as Minister for Children

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Norma Foley', 'role': 'Minister (Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth)'}

Irish Beef and Lamb Association

January–April

[Agriculture] To meet with Minister Heydon to discuss the hot topic of changes to the Eurostar indices by ICBF.

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Martin Heydon', 'role': 'Minister (Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine)'}

Allianz plc

January–April

[Justice and Equality] Letter from Allianz Ireland CEO Phillip Gronemeyer, to Minister Jim O'Callaghan - Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration, sharing Allianz Ireland's Allies Action collaboration with Women's Aid aimed at highlighting the issue of domestic violence towards women in Ireland

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': "Jim O'Callaghan", 'role': 'Minister (Department of Justice)'}

Horse Racing Ireland

January–April

[Agriculture] Key strategic capital projects

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Brendan Gleeson', 'role': 'Secretary General (Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine)'}

Irish Tax Institute

January–April

[Taxation] Meeting with the Department of Finance to discuss the Institute's recommendations on the Key Employee Engagement Programme (KEEP).

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Clare Costello', 'role': 'Assistant Secretary (Department of Finance)'}

Autism Spectrum Information, Advice and Meeting Point Ltd, Trading as AsIAm

January–April

[Health] Invited Minister Foley to attend World Autism Day event

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Michael Brennan', 'role': 'Special Adviser (Department of Education)'} {'name': 'Norma Foley', 'role': 'Minister (Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth)'}

Autism Spectrum Information, Advice and Meeting Point Ltd, Trading as AsIAm

January–April

[Health] Engaged with Director of NDA on wording of a survey on CDNT services

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Dr Aideen Hartney', 'role': 'Director (National Disability Authority)'}

Irish Distillers

January–April

[Trade] Irish Distillers made representations regarding developments in international trade policy and the potential introduction of tariffs on Irish whiskey

Public Officials Lobbied

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

Irish Red Cross

January–April

[Budgetary matters] Activities relating to a briefing session at Leinster House on 25/02/25, where we held a session for all TDs and Senators to present the results of a survey on the experiences of hosts under the pledged accommodation project

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Email All Oireachtas Members', 'role': "All Dáil and Seanad members were invited to the event and any who sent follow up mails (such as indicating that they could / couldn't attend) were responded to"} {'name': 'Ivana Bacik', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Ciarán Ahern', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'William Aird', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Catherine Ardagh', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Cathy Bennett', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} + 234 more

Scale Ireland

January–April

[Economic Development and Industry] Highlighting priorities for start-ups and scaling companies in context of Scale Ireland's Annual State of Start Ups Survey

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Brian Keegan', 'role': 'Special Advisor (Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment)'}

McCutcheon Halley

on behalf of Yes (client not named)

January–April

[Development and Zoning] Outline the proposed de-zoning of residential lands at Haggardstown, Dundalk co. Louth in Draft Dundalk LAP to OPR

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Anne Marie O’Connor', 'role': 'Deputy Planning Regulator and Director of Evaluations of Local Authority Plans (Office of the Planning Regulator)'} {'name': 'Niall Cussen', 'role': 'Planning Regulator (Office of the Planning Regulator)'}

Irish fish Producers Organisation Ltd

January–April

[Food] Third Country Access and Key elements of the CFP evaluation process and CMO - and exchange of views re the Implementation Process and Delegated Acts relating to the New Fisheries Contrl Regulation

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Sinead McSherry', 'role': 'Assistant Secretary General (Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine)'} {'name': 'Timmy Dooley', 'role': 'Minister of State (Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine)'} {'name': 'Paschal Hayes', 'role': 'Executive Chairperson (Sea-Fisheries Protection Authority)'} {'name': 'Caroline Bocquel', 'role': 'Chief Executive Officer (Bord Iascaigh Mhara)'} {'name': 'Brendan Gleeson', 'role': 'Secretary General (Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine)'} {'name': 'Mick Finn', 'role': 'Councillor (Cork City Council)'} + 14 more

Kilkenny Chamber of Commerce & Industry Company Limited by Guarantee

January–April

[Economic Development and Industry] Housing, Water, Transport & increases in number & frequency of bus routes; Redesign of Bohernatounish Roundabout required in light of ever increasing traffic levels; N24 and N25 projects; Kilkenny Ring Road completion; Measures to address the Cost of doing Business in Kilkenny including Commercial Rates; Support new Gift Card & support local businesses; Supports for retail & town centre; SETU Campus for Kilkenny; Abbey Quarter next steps; Offshore wind opportu

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Tim Butler', 'role': 'Director of Services or Equivalent (Kilkenny County Council)'} {'name': 'Lar Power', 'role': 'Chief Executive Officer (Kilkenny County Council)'} {'name': 'Patricia Stephenson', 'role': 'Senator (Seanad)'} {'name': 'Cynthia Ní Mhurchú', 'role': 'MEP (European Parliament)'} {'name': 'Natasha Newsome Drennan', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'}

Teachers' Union of Ireland

January–April

[Education and Training] Meeting in advance of the TUI Annual Congress to brief the Minister on the key issues which would be discussed at the TUI Annual Congress

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Helen McEntee', 'role': 'Minister (Department of Education)'}

Teachers' Union of Ireland

January–April

[Education and Training] Meeting in advance of the TUI Annual Congress to brief the Minister for FHERIS on the key issues which would be discussed at the TUI Annual Congress

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'James Lawless', 'role': 'Minister (Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science)'}

Irish Creamery Milk Suppliers Association

January–April

[Agriculture] Meeting with the Minister for Agriculture, Food & Marine on key policy issues including nitrates, TB, CAP, live exports and climate change.

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Martin Heydon', 'role': 'Minister (Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine)'} {'name': 'Bill Callanan', 'role': 'Chief Inspector (Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine)'} {'name': 'Barry Cassidy', 'role': 'Special Adviser (Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine)'} {'name': 'Brian Purcell', 'role': 'Special Advisor (Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine)'}

Dublin Chamber of Commerce

January–April

[Employment] Circulated Q4 2024 Business Outlook Survey Report to all TDs, Dublin Councillors and relevant Senior Civil Servants

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Email All Oireachtas Members', 'role': 'Circulated the Q4 Business Outlook Survey Report via email. Link to report - https://www.dublinchamber.ie/Portals/0/Business%20Trend%20Surveys/DC_BusinessOS_Q42024_25_FV.pdf?ver=KKjIt2JrIB2MmGsJ8Ij3jw%3d%3d'} {'name': 'Email All Councillors', 'role': 'Circulated the Q4 Business Outlook Survey Report to all Dublin Councillors via email. Link to report - https://www.dublinchamber.ie/Portals/0/Business%20Trend%20Surveys/DC_BusinessOS_Q42024_25_FV.pdf?ver=KKjIt2JrIB2MmGsJ8Ij3jw%3d%3d'} {'name': 'Declan Hughes', 'role': 'Secretary General (Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment)'} {'name': 'John Hogan', 'role': 'Secretary General (Department of Finance)'} {'name': 'David Moloney', 'role': 'Secretary General (Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform)'}

Irish Travel Agents Association

January–April

[Transport] Enforcement of passenger rights proposal and the passenger rights in the context of multimodal journeys proposal

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Cynthia Ní Mhurchú', 'role': 'MEP (European Parliament)'} {'name': 'Nina Carberry', 'role': 'MEP (European Parliament)'}

Abbey Theatre

January–April

[Arts] Communications between representatives of the Abbey Theatre and Government

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Micheál Martin', 'role': 'Tánaiste and Minister (Department of the Taoiseach)'} {'name': 'Hildegarde Naughton', 'role': 'Government Chief Whip and Minister (Department of the Taoiseach)'} {'name': 'Jack Chambers', 'role': 'Minister (Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform)'} {'name': "Patrick O'Donovan", 'role': 'Minister of State (Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media)'} {'name': 'Feargal Ó Coigligh', 'role': 'Secretary General (Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media)'}

ESB

January–April

[Energy and Natural Resources] Overview of ESB Networks’ perspective on potential Private Wire policy so that the TD would be informed of the key issues and considerations that ESB Networks presented to DECC as part of the public consultation process.

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Barry Heneghan', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'}

ActionAid Ireland

January–April

[Foreign Affairs] Share key messages in advance of the 3rd anniversary of Ukraine war. Our key messages being that Russias war continue to destroy lives, the humanitarian needs are enormous and that women and girls are hit hardest by the war.

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Duncan Smith', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'}

The Irish Natura and Hill Farmers Association

January–April

[Agriculture] INHFA Vice President Vincent Roddy and Daniel Buckley met with Barry Kelleher in Kerry to discuss areas of concern

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Billy Kelleher', 'role': 'MEP (European Parliament)'}

The Irish Natura and Hill Farmers Association

January–April

[Agriculture] INHFA President and delegates met with Minister Martin Heydon to discuss concerns with the introduction of GAEC2

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Martin Heydon', 'role': 'Minister (Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine)'} {'name': 'Danny Healy-Rae', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Michael Fitzmaurice', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Rose Conway-Walsh', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Peadar Tóibín', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'}

Irish Wildlife Trust CLG.

January–April

[Environment] Emailed some key recommendations for the Programme for Government including a dedicated nature restoration fund, enactment of the MPA Bill, revision of the legal mandates of state agencies such as Bord na Mona and Coilte, a senior minister position for nature is created. In meetings we spoke about issues at EU level in regards to weakening of environmental legislation, spoke about the CFP and its possible reopening. Asked about issues around the MPA Bill

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Jack Chambers', 'role': 'Minister (Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform)'} {'name': 'James Browne', 'role': 'Minister (Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage)'} {'name': "Darragh O'Brien", 'role': 'Minister (Department of Transport)'} {'name': 'Mary Butler', 'role': 'Government Chief Whip and Minister (Department of the Taoiseach)'} {'name': 'James Lawless', 'role': 'Minister (Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science)'} {'name': 'Norma Foley', 'role': 'Minister (Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth)'} + 10 more

Fitzpatrick & Heavey Homes Limited

January–April

[Local Government] Meetings with local authorities to introduce Ciaran Fitzpatrick, CEO of Fitzpatrick & Heavey Homes

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Richard Shakespeare', 'role': 'Chief Executive Officer (Dublin City Council)'} {'name': 'AnnMarie Farrelly', 'role': 'Chief Executive Officer (Fingal County Council)'} {'name': "Coilín O'Reilly", 'role': 'Chief Executive Officer (Carlow County Council)'} {'name': 'Michael Rainey', 'role': 'Director of Services or Equivalent (Carlow County Council)'} {'name': 'Donal Brennan', 'role': 'Director of Services or Equivalent (Laois County Council)'} {'name': 'Paul Carroll', 'role': 'Director of Services or Equivalent (Fingal County Council)'} + 2 more

Dublin Chamber of Commerce

January–April

[Education and Training] Submission to the SOLAS consultation on the Further Education and Training Stratgey 2025-2029

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Andrew Brownlee', 'role': 'Chief Executive Officer (Solas)'}

Lobbying Tracker

Most Lobbied TDs