Overwatch Report

ACCA Ireland

January–April

[Education and Training] Bring the ACCA programme of priorities to the attention of the Minister and particularly the regulatory burden caused by the requirement for Irish businesses to undertake sustainability reporting.

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Peter Burke', 'role': 'Minister (Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment)'}

ACCA Ireland

January–April

[Education and Training] Drawing attention to the ACCA programme of priorities and specifically the needs in respect of Irelands transition to a sustainability economy.

Public Officials Lobbied

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

ACCA Ireland

January–April

[Education and Training] To draw attention to the ACCA programme of priorities and specifically issues arising in the area of sustainability and the use public private partnerships

Public Officials Lobbied

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

ACCA Ireland

January–April

[Education and Training] To draw attention to the ACCA Program of Priorities and our research in the health area including the use of public private partnerships.

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Jennifer Carroll MacNeill', 'role': 'Minister (Department of Health)'}

ACCA Ireland

September–December

[Education and Training] Drawing attention to impact of AI on the accounting profession, need for EU support to upskill and for education and training in the context of Ireland’s Presidency of the EU Council 2026.

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Regina Doherty', 'role': 'MEP (European Parliament)'}

ACCA Ireland

January–April

[Economic Development and Industry] Encouragement and an offer of support in the bid from Ireland to host the (EU) Anti-Money Laundering Authority (AMLA).

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Billy Kelleher', 'role': 'MEP (European Parliament)'} {'name': 'Leo Varadkar', 'role': 'Taoiseach (Department of the Taoiseach)'} {'name': 'Micheál Martin', 'role': 'Tánaiste and Minister (Department of Foreign Affairs)'}

ACCA Ireland

May–August

[Environment] To inform of the ACCA priorities for the next European Parliamentary term which are: an equitable transition to sustainable business and society; promoting the use of AI in an ethical, responsible manner; and supporting the development of the profession for the future

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Kathleen Funchion', 'role': 'MEP (European Parliament)'}

ACCA Ireland

May–August

[Environment] To inform of the ACCA priorities for the next European Parliamentary term which are: an equitable transition to sustainable business and society; promoting the use of AI in an ethical, responsible manner; and supporting the development of the profession for the future

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Aodhán Ó Ríordáin', 'role': 'MEP (European Parliament)'}

ACCA Ireland

May–August

[Environment] To inform of the ACCA priorities for the next European Parliamentary term which are: an equitable transition to sustainable business and society; promoting the use of AI in an ethical, responsible manner; and supporting the development of the profession for the future

Public Officials Lobbied

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

ACCA Ireland

May–August

[Environment] To inform of the ACCA priorities for the next European Parliamentary term which are: an equitable transition to sustainable business and society; promoting the use of AI in an ethical, responsible manner; and supporting the development of the profession for the future

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Kathleen Funchion', 'role': 'MEP (European Parliament)'} {'name': 'Aodhán Ó Ríordáin', 'role': 'MEP (European Parliament)'} {'name': 'Billy Kelleher', 'role': 'MEP (European Parliament)'}

ACCA Ireland

May–August

[Finance] Supporting the Irish bid to host AMLA (European Anti-Money Laundering Authority)

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Jennifer Carroll MacNeill', 'role': 'Minister of State (Department of Finance)'}

ACCA Ireland

May–August

[Education and Training] Clarifying the skills shortage, particularly in financial services, that the out of date second level accounting syllabus is contributing to.

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Jennifer Carroll MacNeill', 'role': 'Minister of State (Department of Finance)'}

ACCA Ireland

May–August

[Education and Training] Letters to Government noting the importance of Springboard funding to address a skills shortage in the accounting and finance area and requesting the continuation of that funding.

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Simon Harris', 'role': 'Minister (Department of Further and Higher Education, Innovation and Science)'} {'name': 'Jennifer Carroll MacNeill', 'role': 'Minister of State (Department of Finance)'} {'name': 'Michael McGrath', 'role': 'Minister (Department of Finance)'}

ACCA Ireland

September–December

[Finance] Clarifying the ACCA position regarding the Business Energy Subsidy Scheme (EBSS)

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Paschal Donohoe', 'role': 'Minister (Department of Finance)'} {'name': 'Leo Varadkar', 'role': 'An Tánaiste (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Noel Brett', 'role': 'Assistant Secretary (The Office of the Revenue Commissioners)'}

ACCA Ireland

January–April

[Taxation] Establishment of Commission on Taxation and Welfare

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Paschal Donohoe', 'role': 'Minister (Department of Finance)'}

ACCA Ireland

September–December

[Economic Development and Industry] The important role of management in achieving ethical implementation of artificial intelligence (AI) in the SME sector.

Public Officials Lobbied

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

ACCA Ireland

September–December

[Education and Training] There is a significant disconnect between the current Leaving Certificate Accounting syllabus and the skills needed in the workplace and this creates a number of challenges including ultimately that Ireland will not have sufficient “bench-strength" to fill the accounting employment opportunities across the Irish economy. This creates negative consequences for employment creation, attracting foreign direct investment and supporting the wider Irish economy.

Public Officials Lobbied

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

ACCA Ireland

September–December

[Public Expenditure and Reform] Bringing to the Ministers attention the ACCA research titled Rethinking Public Financial Management an international study looking at how governments around the world manage public resources, including collecting revenue and controlling expenditure, and the impact such resources have on the economy and society.

Public Officials Lobbied

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

ACCA Ireland

September–December

[Education and Training] Targeted sectoral funding to maintain appropriate levels of training, upskilling and access to accountancy qualifications for people in communities throughout Ireland to support business recovery and growth.

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Simon Harris', 'role': 'Minister (Department of Further and Higher Education, Innovation and Science)'} {'name': 'Jim Breslin', 'role': 'Secretary General (Department of Further and Higher Education, Innovation and Science)'} {'name': 'William Beausang', 'role': 'Assistant Secretary (Department of Further and Higher Education, Innovation and Science)'} {'name': 'Leo Varadkar', 'role': 'Minister (Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment)'}

ACCA Ireland

January–April

[Taxation] Request for extension of some Covid 19 alleviating measure to businesses filing their tax returns late due to Covid 19 related illness.

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Niall Cody', 'role': 'Chairman (The Office of the Revenue Commissioners)'}

ACCA Ireland

January–April

[Economic Development and Industry] The administration of LEO business continuity planning grants to micro business

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Pat Breen', 'role': 'Minister of State (Department of Business, Enterprise and Innovation)'}

ACCA Ireland

September–December

[Economic Development and Industry] Submission to the SME Task Force to inform them of the importance of the small and medium accounting practice (SMP) in helping SMEs access recovery funding, manage Brexit and contribute to a green and digital transition. ACCA called for support for the crucial role of SMPs in the wider economy. ACCA also identified some of the international research we have undertaken on the role of SMPs in SME growth, development and success globally with Ireland benchmark

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Leo Varadkar', 'role': 'Minister (Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment)'}

ACCA Ireland

September–December

[Economic Development and Industry] ACCA represents the views of 800 Irish ACCA SMPs (small and medium sized practices) and the c62,000 SME clients that they serve throughout Ireland. ACCA is committed to, and passionate about, using its global and local expertise to support businesses and employment throughout Ireland. Involvement in the SME and State Bodies Group is an opportunity to deliver that support.

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Leo Varadkar', 'role': 'Minister (Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment)'}

ACCA Ireland

January–April

[Finance] The adoption of IPSAS (International Public Sector Accounting Standards) by Government

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': "Patrick O'Donovan", 'role': 'Minister of State (Department of Public Expenditure and Reform)'}

ACCA Ireland

January–April

[Taxation] Section 63 of the Criminal Justice (Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing) Act 2010 as it relates to persons offering taxation services but who are not members of a recognised professional body and are not regulated as designated persons by the Dept. of Justice.

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Brian Boyle', 'role': 'Assistant Secretaries or Equivalent Grades (The Office of the Revenue Commissioners)'}

ACCA Ireland

September–December

[Education and Training] The need to modernise the Leaving Certificate Accounting syllabus, to create pathways to accounting careers through the secondary education system.

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Joe McHugh', 'role': 'Minister (Department of Education and Skills)'}

ACCA Ireland

September–December

[Economic Development and Industry] Beneficial Ownership Register

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Maureen O’Sullivan', 'role': 'Registrar of Companies (Department of Business, Enterprise and Innovation)'}

ACCA Ireland

September–December

[Economic Development and Industry] SME and entrepreneurship policy review

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Pat Breen', 'role': 'Minister of State (Department of Business, Enterprise and Innovation)'}

ACCA Ireland

May–August

[Taxation] Delays in registering a business for VAT

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Heather Humphreys', 'role': 'Minister (Department of Business, Enterprise and Innovation)'}

ACCA Ireland

September–December

[Education and Training] The role of accountants within the public sector in the context of innovation and the development of new skills sets within the context of Project 2040

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': "Patrick O'Donovan", 'role': 'Minister of State (Department of Public Expenditure and Reform)'}

Lobbying Tracker

Most Lobbied TDs