Overwatch Report

Cobh and Harbour Chamber

January–April

[Community] Support for Cobh town and upgrading of the R624 Road

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Noel McCarthy', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'}

Cobh and Harbour Chamber

May–August

[Public Expenditure and Reform] Upgrading of the R624 road linking Cobh to N25, including road safety, accessibility, and economic impact on Cobh and Great Island

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Noel McCarthy', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'}

Cobh and Harbour Chamber

September–December

[Communications] Discussed some fibre broadband issues Cobh businesses are facing. There are a number of situations impeding many businesses in the town centre availing of full fibre broadband, and OpenEir seem unwilling to engage or even respond to queries.

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': "Patrick O'Donovan", 'role': 'Minister of State (Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media)'}

Cobh and Harbour Chamber

September–December

[Health] The Chamber raised concerns about funding levels for Cobh Hospital. Discussion focused on the need for investment to address service pressures, enhance patient care, and ensure long-term sustainability of the facility.

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Patrick O’Donovan', 'role': 'Minister (Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media)'} {'name': 'Noel McCarthy', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Sinéad Sheppard', 'role': 'Councillor (Cork County Council)'} {'name': 'Dominic Finn', 'role': 'Councillor (Cork County Council)'} {'name': 'Anthony Barry', 'role': 'Councillor (Cork County Council)'}

Cobh and Harbour Chamber

September–December

[Public Expenditure and Reform] The Chamber outlined concerns relating to the condition and strategic importance of the R624 road. Discussions included funding requirements, safety issues, and the economic importance of the route for local residents, tourism, and business operations.

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': "Patrick O'Donovan", 'role': 'Minister of State (Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media)'} {'name': 'Noel McCarthy', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Sinéad Sheppard', 'role': 'Councillor (Cork County Council)'} {'name': 'Dominic Finn', 'role': 'Councillor (Cork County Council)'} {'name': 'Anthony Barry', 'role': 'Councillor (Cork County Council)'}

Cobh and Harbour Chamber

September–December

[Economic Development and Industry] The Chamber discussed the pressures facing voluntary and membership-based chambers, including administrative burdens and resource limitations. The Chamber requested consideration of sustainable funding mechanisms or supports to ensure chambers can continue to fulfil important economic-development functions.

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': "Patrick O'Donovan", 'role': 'Minister of State (Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media)'} {'name': 'Noel McCarthy', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Sinéad Sheppard', 'role': 'Councillor (Cork County Council)'} {'name': 'Dominic Finn', 'role': 'Councillor (Cork County Council)'}

Cobh and Harbour Chamber

September–December

[Health] The Chamber highlighted the urgent need for increased funding for Cobh Hospital. Investment is essential to relieve service pressures, improve patient care, and secure the long-term sustainability of this vital healthcare facility.

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Noel McCarthy', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Liam Quaide', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'}

Cobh and Harbour Chamber

May–August

[Economic Development and Industry] Development of the renewable energy sector, the R624 road, public water access, and funding for the public realm

Public Officials Lobbied

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

Cobh and Harbour Chamber

September–December

[Economic Development and Industry] Advocacy for the R624 road to Cobh to be recognised as a national road and for the development of an additional route into Cobh.

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'James Lawless', 'role': 'Minister of State (Department of Transport)'} {'name': 'David Stanton', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': "James O'Connor", 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'}

Cobh and Harbour Chamber

September–December

[Community] Advocacy for the upgrade of the R624 road to Cobh and improvements in public access from the sea front in Cobh town centre

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Jack Chambers', 'role': 'Minister (Department of Finance)'}

Cobh and Harbour Chamber

September–December

[Economic Development and Industry] Dinner hosted by Cobh & Harbour Chamber. R624 Road Upgrade: Advocating for improved road access to Cobh. Green Wind Energy: Promoting Cork Harbour as a hub for renewable energy projects.

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Billy Kelleher', 'role': 'MEP (European Parliament)'} {'name': 'Sean Kelly', 'role': 'MEP (European Parliament)'} {'name': "James O'Connor", 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'David Stanton', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'}

Cobh and Harbour Chamber

September–December

[Community] Advocating for investment in infrastructure and renewable energy to support Cobh’s development and economic sustainability.

Public Officials Lobbied

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

Cobh and Harbour Chamber

January–April

[Transport] New Access Road to Cobh instead of the R624

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': "James O'Connor", 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Billy Kelleher', 'role': 'MEP (European Parliament)'}

Cobh and Harbour Chamber

January–April

[Economic Development and Industry] Development of renewable energy sector for Cobh & Cork Harbour Area including water access to Cobh Town and public realm project

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Paschal Donohoe', 'role': 'Minister (Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform)'}

Cobh and Harbour Chamber

January–April

[Employment] European/Government funding to support affiliated Chambers nationally

Public Officials Lobbied

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

Cobh and Harbour Chamber

May–August

[Transport] To lobby for a new road into Cobh replacing or upgrading the R624

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Simon Coveney', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'}

Cobh and Harbour Chamber

September–December

[Economic Development and Industry] Green Wind Energy in the Cork Harbour Area. Road access to Cobh

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Leo Varadkar', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Michael McGrath', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'David Stanton', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': "James O'Connor", 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'}

Cobh and Harbour Chamber

January–April

[Community] Upgrade of the Cobh R624 Road and Public access from the sea front in Cobh Town centre

Public Officials Lobbied

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

Cobh and Harbour Chamber

January–April

[Trade] Funding for Chambers of Commerce

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Michael McGrath', 'role': 'Minister (Department of Public Expenditure and Reform)'} {'name': 'Robert Troy', 'role': 'Minister of State (Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment)'}

Cobh and Harbour Chamber

May–August

[Community] Upgrading the R624 Road into Cobh Town

Public Officials Lobbied

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

Cobh and Harbour Chamber

May–August

[Energy and Natural Resources] Solar and Floating Wind Energy

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'David Stanton', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': "James O'Connor", 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'}

Cobh and Harbour Chamber

September–December

[Community] Meeting with County Mayor regarding R624 road access and Cobh Town Public Realm Funding

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Danny Collins', 'role': 'Councillor (Cork County Council)'}

Cobh and Harbour Chamber

September–December

[Economic Development and Industry] Dinner hosted by Cobh & Harbour Chamber - Road access to Cobh and Green Wind Energy in the Cork Harbour Area

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Micheál Martin', 'role': 'An Taoiseach (Department of the Taoiseach)'} {'name': 'Michael McGrath', 'role': 'Minister (Department of Public Expenditure and Reform)'} {'name': 'Simon Coveney', 'role': 'Minister (Department of Foreign Affairs)'} {'name': 'David Stanton', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': "James O'Connor", 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Anthony Barry', 'role': 'Councillor (Cork County Council)'}

Cobh and Harbour Chamber

January–April

[Transport] Upgrade of the R624 regional road and articulate public & business concerns

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'David Stanton', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Simon Coveney', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Michael McGrath', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': "James O'Connor", 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Tim Lucey', 'role': 'CEO (Cork County Council)'}

Cobh and Harbour Chamber

September–December

[Economic Development and Industry] National Development Plan with reference to upgrading of the R624 Road into Cobh

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': "James O'Connor", 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'}

Cobh and Harbour Chamber

September–December

[Community] Need for a Business Hub; proposed Public Realm project; Public Access from the sea front all in Cobh Town

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Gillian Coughlan', 'role': 'Councillor (Cork County Council)'}

Cobh and Harbour Chamber

September–December

[Community] General Cobh issues ie R624 Road upgrade; Broadband; Proposed new train station at Ballynoe, Cobh;

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'David Stanton (Former DPO)', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Eamon Ryan', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'}

Cobh and Harbour Chamber

January–April

[Economic Development and Industry] General Cobh Issues - Fota Road upgrade; Industral development

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Leo Varadkar', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Micheál Martin', 'role': 'Taoiseach (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Michael McGrath', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'}

Cobh and Harbour Chamber

January–April

[Community] Funding for tourist office

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'David Stanton', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'}

Lobbying Tracker

Most Lobbied TDs