Overwatch Report

Fórsa trade union

January–April

[Foreign Affairs] Kevin Callinan, Fórsa General Secretary, wrote to John Lahart, Cathaoirleach of the Joint Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade and Defence, on behalf of Forsa and Justice for Colombia seeking dialogue and the opportunity to made a short presentation regarding human rights, labour rights and the implementation of the 2016 Peace Agreement in Colombia.

Public Officials Lobbied

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

Fórsa trade union

January–April

[Justice and Equality] Kevin Callinan, Fórsa General Secretary wrote to Jim O'Callaghan, Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration seeking engagement with government to seek changes to the current statutory timeframes for separation and divorce.

Public Officials Lobbied

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

Fórsa trade union

January–April

[Justice and Equality] Kevin Callinan, Fórsa General Secretary, wrote to Jim O'Callaghan, Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration seeking engagement with government to seek changes to implement legislation to ensure automatic access to civil legal aid for those accessing divorce where there has been a safety order, protection order, or coercive control within the marriage or separation.

Public Officials Lobbied

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

Fórsa trade union

January–April

[Finance] Kevin Callinan, Fórsa General Secretary wrote to Simon Harris, Tánaiste and Minister for Finance seeking the enactment of legislation to enable all organisations in receipt of public monies to be held accountable to the Committee of Public Accounts.

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Simon Harris', 'role': 'Minister (Department of Finance)'}

Fórsa trade union

January–April

[Health] Kevin Callinan, Fórsa General Secretary wrote to Norma Foley, Minister for Children, Disability and Equality. Fórsa is seeking the development and implementation of a new Women's Health Action Plan, an adequately resources framework that ensures equality of access and treatment.

Public Officials Lobbied

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

Fórsa trade union

January–April

[Health] Kevin Callinan, Fórsa General Secretary, wrote to Dr Jennifer Caroll MacNeill Minister for Health regarding the abolition of the mandatory three-day waiting period for accessing abortion services.

Public Officials Lobbied

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

Fórsa trade union

January–April

[Local Government] Wrote to all county councillors seeking support for ICT dispute in local authorities. Specifically asking • Write to the Chief Executive demanding recognition for critical work, fair pay and a proper career progression pathway for the ICT workers in local authorities.

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Kevin Donoghue (Former DPO)', 'role': 'Councillor (Dublin City Council)'} {'name': 'Email All Councillors', 'role': 'Emails sent between the 1st January and the 28th February 2026'}

Fórsa trade union

January–April

[Health] Forsa, INMO and ICTU representatives met with the Taoiseach, alongside representatives from the HSE, Department of Health & Department of Social Protection.

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Micheál Martin', 'role': 'Taoiseach (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'}

Fórsa trade union

January–April

[Transport] Letter sent to Minister for State for Transport from Fórsa seeking for driver testers to have full state-backed indemnity while conducting driving tests in potentially uninsured vehicles. Fórsa also sought for RSA driver testers to be given access to the National Insurance Database controlled by the Motor Insurers’ Bureau of Ireland.

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Sean Canney', 'role': 'Minister of State (Department of Transport)'}

Fórsa trade union

January–April

[Justice and Equality] Fórsa official wrote to Minister Norma Foley, Dept of Children, Disability & Equality regarding bed capacity and safe staffing at Oberstown Children's Detention Centre.

Public Officials Lobbied

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

Fórsa trade union

January–April

[Health] Launch of Fórsa report Morale in Health and Social Care Workforce Report, took place on the 13th January in the AV room in Leinster house. All members of the Oireachtas Health Committee were contacted to attend and support. The report sought for the introduction of a policy to allow for the back fill of maternity leave in the health sector.

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Kevin Donoghue (Former DPO)', 'role': 'Councillor (Dublin City Council)'} {'name': 'Email All Oireachtas Members', 'role': 'Email sent to all Oireachtas members in early January, launch held on the 13th January 2026.'} {'name': 'Paula Butterly', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'David Cullinane', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Marie Sherlock', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Johnny Guirke', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} + 5 more

Fórsa trade union

January–April

[Transport] Letter to Minister for Transport seeking meeting to discuss the government’s plans for the restructuring of the Road Safety Authority.

Public Officials Lobbied

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

Fórsa trade union

January–April

[Employment] Kevin Callinan, Fórsa General Secretary sent a letter to An Taoiseach. The letter outlines concerns regarding the current structure of the LEEF. Highlighting its limitations in effectively addressing challenges facing workers & society, compares present political and economic circumstances to those at the inception of social partnership in 1987, & argues for renewed social dialogue to enhance social cohesion and address key national issues.

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Micheál Martin', 'role': 'Taoiseach (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'}

Fórsa trade union

January–April

[Employment] Letter to the Taoiseach addresses concerns regarding the Dept Social Protection's unilateral decision to reduce access to remote and hybrid working arrangements, which contradicts the commitments outlined in the Blended Working Policy Framework for Civil Service Organisations (2022) and the Public Service Agreement 2024-2026.

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Micheál Martin', 'role': 'Taoiseach (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'}

Fórsa trade union

January–April

[Foreign Affairs] A letter from Kevin Callinan, Fórsa General Secretary urges the Minister for Foreign Affairs to advocate at the EU level for the release of Dr Hussam Abu Safiya, a detained Palestinian doctor, and other healthcare workers in Gaza, highlighting the humanitarian crisis and Fórsa’s solidarity with the outgoing situation.

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Micheál Martin', 'role': 'Tánaiste and Minister (Department of Foreign Affairs)'}

Fórsa trade union

January–April

[Employment] Kevin Callinan’s, Fórsa General Secretary letter to the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Services Reform and Digitalisation. The letter urges the Minister to address the delayed repeal of the Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest (No. 2) Act 2009, a key commitment in the Public Service Agreement 2024-26.

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Jack Chambers', 'role': 'Minister of State (Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform)'}

Fórsa trade union

January–April

[Health] Emails, letters, including letters to two Ministers, phone calls and an online meeting was organised with the aim of seeking more funding for the healthcare system, and to support unions in being consulted regarding the pay and numbers strategy in the Health Service Executive. There were discussions in relation to the then impending Pay & Numbers dispute including possible solutions with some TDs.

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Kevin Donoghue (Former DPO)', 'role': 'Councillor (Dublin City Council)'} {'name': 'Richard Boyd Barrett', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Marie Sherlock', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Dr Padraig Walsh', 'role': 'Chief Executive Officer (Quality and Qualifications Ireland)'} {'name': 'Seán Kyne', 'role': 'Senator (Seanad)'} {'name': 'Marian Harkin', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} + 12 more

Fórsa trade union

January–April

[Employment] Contact with two Irish MEPs seeking the introduction of an EU directive on the psychological impact of overtime. Seeking to have an examination of the use of agency staff within the EU health system.

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Kevin Donoghue (Former DPO)', 'role': 'Councillor (Dublin City Council)'} {'name': 'Billy Kelleher', 'role': 'MEP (European Parliament)'} {'name': 'Aodhán Ó Ríordáin', 'role': 'MEP (European Parliament)'}

Fórsa trade union

January–April

[Health] Letters to the Minister of Health; and the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality asking both Ministers to give their respective departments of Health officials; and the CDE officials the mandate to re-enter the WRC process regarding the pay and conditions of Section 39 workers. It also sought a meeting with both Ministers and invited both Ministers to attend the Fórsa Health & Welfare Division Conference in May 2025.

Public Officials Lobbied

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

Fórsa trade union

January–April

[Health] Raised the growing concern of low morale among healthcare workers of all grades. The letters outlined to both Ministers for Health; and Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the importance that steps are taken to address the underlying issues.

Public Officials Lobbied

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

Fórsa trade union

January–April

[Health] Letter sent to Minister for Children, Disability and Equality regarding the provision of children's disability services.

Public Officials Lobbied

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

Fórsa trade union

January–April

[Education and Training] A Fórsa official attended a meeting with Irish MEPs, as part of an ICTU delegation to discuss the European Trade Union Congress’s (ETUC) osition on the Traineeship Directive.

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Aodhán Ó Ríordáin', 'role': 'MEP (European Parliament)'} {'name': 'Barry Cowen', 'role': 'MEP (European Parliament)'} {'name': 'Cynthia Ní Mhurchú', 'role': 'MEP (European Parliament)'} {'name': 'Sean Kelly', 'role': 'MEP (European Parliament)'} {'name': 'Kathleen Funchion', 'role': 'MEP (European Parliament)'} {'name': 'Michael McNamara', 'role': 'MEP (European Parliament)'} + 1 more

Fórsa trade union

January–April

[Local Government] Emails to Galway city councillors and Galway West TDs informing them of a scheduled member protest march which was scheduled to be held outside Galway City Council offices @ 1:30pm Monday March 10th on College Road . This protest was in relation to a proposed move to new offices outside the city centre and in Fórsa's email, the union provided supporting information regarding the concerns of Fórsa members on the issue.

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Aisling Burke', 'role': 'Councillor (Galway City Council)'} {'name': 'Shane Forde', 'role': 'Councillor (Galway City Council)'} {'name': 'Declan McDonnell', 'role': 'Councillor (Galway City Council)'} {'name': 'Helen Uchechukwu Ogbu', 'role': 'Councillor (Galway City Council)'} {'name': "Terry O'Flaherty", 'role': 'Councillor (Galway City Council)'} {'name': 'Eibhlín Seoighthe', 'role': 'Councillor (Galway City Council)'} + 16 more

Fórsa trade union

January–April

[Local Government] Invited Minister James Browne, Department of Housing, Local Government & Heritage to address the Fórsa local government conference in May 2025.

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'James Browne', 'role': 'Minister (Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage)'}

Fórsa trade union

May–August

[Local Government] Letter to John Cummins, Minister of State with special responsibility for Local Government and Planning, seeking Fórsa representation on the Local Democracy Taskforce under the “Independent and other experts” category.

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'John Cummins', 'role': 'Minister of State (Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage)'} {'name': 'James Browne', 'role': 'Minister (Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage)'}

Fórsa trade union

May–August

[Energy and Natural Resources] Meeting with Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, in conjunction with ICTU group of unions to discuss water issues and the holding of a referendum on the public ownership of water in Ireland.

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'James Browne', 'role': 'Minister (Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage)'}

Fórsa trade union

May–August

[Local Government] Contacted Cllr Horgan seeking his support in the implementation of Draft Library Bye-Laws which had been drafted to be put before elected members for adopting. The draft bye-laws were not progressed by the Council and as such Fórsa sought for Cllr Horgan to seek an update from the Council as to when they would be put before Councillors for adopting.

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Peter Horgan', 'role': 'Councillor (Cork City Council)'}

Fórsa trade union

May–August

[Transport] Letter sent to Minister of State for Transport, seeking a meeting regarding the proposed restructuring of the Road Safety Authority.

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Sean Canney', 'role': 'Minister of State (Department of Transport)'}

Fórsa trade union

May–August

[Education and Training] Letter from Fórsa General Secretary to Secretary General of Dept of Education highlighting the inequity faced by Special Needs Assistants who, unlike most other workers, cannot access Salary Protection Scheme (SPS) or Additional Voluntary Contribution (AVC) deductions at source, thereby losing out on immediate tax relief and simplified payroll-based access

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Bernie McNally', 'role': 'Secretary General (Department of Education)'}

Fórsa trade union

May–August

[Local Government] Letter from Fórsa General Secretary to Cynthia Ní Mhurchú MEP. Concerning proposed amendments to the draft report on public procurement before the IMCO Committee, particularly the introduction of a new Article 13c. The letter raises concern that the amendment would undermine local authority autonomy by forcing competitive tendering, even where in-house delivery of services is more democratic, efficient & in the public interest, & argues that it contradicts Article 345 TFEU and

Public Officials Lobbied

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

Lobbying Tracker

Most Lobbied TDs