Overwatch Report

Independent Broadcasters of Ireland

January–April

[Economic Development and Industry] Seeking support from Minister public representatives, and officials for an event or initiative during Ireland's presidency of the Council of the EU related to protecting accessibility and prominence of radio in cars, on smart devices and on platforms, or for inclusion of relevant measures in legislation.

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Barry Andrews', 'role': 'MEP (European Parliament)'} {'name': 'Barry Cowen', 'role': 'MEP (European Parliament)'} {'name': 'Sean Kelly', 'role': 'MEP (European Parliament)'} {'name': 'Nina Carberry', 'role': 'MEP (European Parliament)'} {'name': 'Regina Doherty', 'role': 'MEP (European Parliament)'} {'name': 'Una Dixon', 'role': 'Divisonal Manager (Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media)'} + 2 more

Independent Broadcasters of Ireland

January–April

[Economic Development and Industry] Communicating the concern of IBI Members about the large-scale increase in the regulatory levy on radio stations.

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Barry Andrews', 'role': 'MEP (European Parliament)'} {'name': 'Barry Cowen', 'role': 'MEP (European Parliament)'} {'name': 'Alan Kelly', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Sean Kelly', 'role': 'MEP (European Parliament)'} {'name': 'Nina Carberry', 'role': 'MEP (European Parliament)'} {'name': 'Regina Doherty', 'role': 'MEP (European Parliament)'} + 20 more

Independent Broadcasters of Ireland

January–April

[Arts] Implementation of fair and proportionate support for news and current affairs independent radio sector including proposals announced in last budget; calling for level playing field for radio vis a vis other sectors in regulatory and legislative proposals; promoting engagement and regular interaction with stakeholders.

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Catherine Martin', 'role': 'Minister (Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media)'} {'name': 'Dara Calleary', 'role': 'Minister (Department of Rural and Community Development)'} {'name': 'Kathleen Funchion', 'role': 'MEP (European Parliament)'} {'name': 'Regina Doherty', 'role': 'MEP (European Parliament)'} {'name': 'Cynthia Ní Mhurchú', 'role': 'MEP (European Parliament)'} {'name': 'Frances Black', 'role': 'Senator (Seanad)'} + 39 more

Independent Broadcasters of Ireland

May–August

[Arts] Briefings providing to Members of the Joint Committee on Media, and Members of the Oireachtas legislation. Meetings with Minister for Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport, and officials, re Budget/Programme for Government funding. Engagement with the Gambling Regulation Authority of Ireland and Coimisiún na Meán and Comreg on mutual priorities. Communications with MEPs and EU Commissioner on EU legislation.

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': "Ronan O'Domhnaill, Comisiun na Mean", 'role': 'Director (Department of Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural & Gaeltacht Affairs)'} {'name': 'Alison Comyn', 'role': 'Senator (Seanad)'} {'name': 'Rónán Mullen', 'role': 'Senator (Seanad)'} {'name': 'Brian Brennan', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': "Christopher O'Sullivan", 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': "Pádraig O'Sullivan", 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} + 34 more

Independent Broadcasters of Ireland

September–December

[Communications] Advocating for fair, proportionate and accessible funding for the public service content on independent radio stations in the Budget and in policy discussions. Seeking level playing field.

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Simon Harris', 'role': 'Tánaiste and Minister (Department of Defence)'} {'name': 'Jack Chambers', 'role': 'Minister (Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform)'} {'name': 'Paschal Donohoe', 'role': 'Minister (Department of Finance)'} {'name': "Caroline O'Loughlin", 'role': 'Head of Unit (Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht)'} {'name': 'Theresa Newman', 'role': 'Special Adviser (Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media)'} {'name': "Ronan O'Domhnaill, Comisiun na Mean", 'role': 'Director (Department of Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural & Gaeltacht Affairs)'} + 32 more

Independent Broadcasters of Ireland

January–April

[Arts] Introduction of myself as new CEO and request with Minister. Lobbying also took place to seek changes to Gambling Regulation legislation. This legislation had potential to stop charity fundraising bingo games from being adevertised during the day on radio.

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Catherine Martin', 'role': 'Minister (Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media)'} {'name': 'Meghan McSweeney', 'role': 'Special Adviser (Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media)'} {'name': 'Simon Harris', 'role': 'An Taoiseach (Department of the Taoiseach)'} {'name': "Roderic O'Gorman", 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Eamon Ryan', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Pa Daly', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} + 11 more

Independent Broadcasters of Ireland

May–August

[Arts] This was to seek changes to proposed support schemes so that meaningful, ringfenced and accessible funding for news and current affairs would be provided, as well as interim funding as per IBI Pre Budget Submission. This also included a grassroots campaign as well as letters, emails, texts and phone calls and emails to Oireachtas members as set out in our returns for this period.

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Catherine Martin', 'role': 'Minister (Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media)'} {'name': 'Tríona Quill', 'role': 'Assistant Secretary (Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media)'} {'name': 'Michael McGrath', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Peter Burke', 'role': 'Minister (Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment)'} {'name': 'Brian Keegan', 'role': 'Special Advisor (Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment)'} {'name': "Christopher O'Sullivan", 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} + 65 more

Independent Broadcasters of Ireland

May–August

[Communications] Briefing to all Oireachtas members on the challenges facing Independent Radio, shortcomings of the proposed Journalism Schemes, our 2024 Budget proposals and the needs of the sector in particular for support for core news and current affairs services.

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Email All Oireachtas Members', 'role': 'Two emails sent as mass emails to all members of the Oireachtas.'}

Independent Broadcasters of Ireland

May–August

[Justice and Equality] This lobbying was to seek changes to Gambling Regulation legislation. This legislation had potential to stop charity fundraising bingo games from being advertised during the day on radio and to hamper the games being run in aid of charitable causes.

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'James Browne', 'role': 'Minister of State (Department of Justice)'} {'name': 'Brendan Griffin', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'}

Independent Broadcasters of Ireland

September–December

[Arts] Advocating for fair, proportionate and accessible funding for independent radio sector and policies to put in place a level playing field.

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Email All Oireachtas Members', 'role': 'Informing all Oireachtas members of the success of the independent radio sector in the IMRO Radio Awards.'} {'name': 'Dara Calleary', 'role': 'Minister of State (Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment)'} {'name': "Patrick O'Donovan", 'role': 'Minister (Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science)'} {'name': 'Malcolm Byrne', 'role': 'Senator (Seanad)'} {'name': 'Malcolm Byrne', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Barry Heneghan', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} + 44 more

Independent Broadcasters of Ireland

January–April

[Communications] Various matters relating to the Online Safety & Media Regulation Bill and Coimisiún Na Meán

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Maria Walsh', 'role': 'MEP (European Parliament)'} {'name': 'Denis Naughten', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Jack Chambers', 'role': 'Minister of State (Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media)'} {'name': 'Stephen Donnelly', 'role': 'Minister (Department of Health)'} {'name': 'Hildegarde Naughton', 'role': 'Government Chief Whip and Minister (Department of the Taoiseach)'} {'name': "Pauline O'Reilly", 'role': 'Senator (Seanad)'} + 9 more

Independent Broadcasters of Ireland

September–December

[Communications] Politicial advertising on broadcast radio

Public Officials Lobbied

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

Independent Broadcasters of Ireland

September–December

[Communications] Gambling Regulation Bill

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'James Browne', 'role': 'Minister of State (Department of Justice)'}

Independent Broadcasters of Ireland

September–December

[Communications] Media funding schemes as reccomended by the Future of Media Commission report

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Ciaran Cannon', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'}

Independent Broadcasters of Ireland

September–December

[Communications] Current issues facing independent broadcasters

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Shane Cassells', 'role': 'Senator (Seanad)'}

Independent Broadcasters of Ireland

September–December

[Communications] Gambling Regulation Bill

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'James Lawless', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'}

Independent Broadcasters of Ireland

September–December

[Communications] Issues currently facing independent broadcasters

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Imelda Munster', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': "Christopher O'Sullivan", 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'}

Independent Broadcasters of Ireland

September–December

[Communications] Concern regarding the unfairness of the proposed Coimisiún na Meán Levy Order for 2024

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Catherine Martin', 'role': 'Minister (Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media)'}

News UK and Wireless

September–December

[Communications] Attendance as part of a delegation from IBI (the Independent Broadcasters of Ireland) at a briefing at Leinster House on 29 November 2023.

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Meeting All Oireachtas Members', 'role': ''}

Independent Broadcasters of Ireland

September–December

[Communications] Gambling Regulation Bill

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'James Lawless', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'}

Independent Broadcasters of Ireland

September–December

[Communications] Email letter to An Taoiseach's office outlining concerns following the statement made in Dáil Eireann on Tuesday December 5th

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Leo Varadkar', 'role': 'Taoiseach (Department of the Taoiseach)'} {'name': "Grace O'Sullivan", 'role': 'MEP (European Parliament)'} {'name': 'Ged Nash', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': "Pauline O'Reilly", 'role': 'Senator (Seanad)'} {'name': 'Malcolm Noonan', 'role': 'Minister of State (Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage)'} {'name': 'Catherine Martin', 'role': 'Minister (Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media)'} + 1 more

Independent Broadcasters of Ireland

September–December

[Communications] Airplay of Irish Music

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Aengus Ó Snodaigh', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'}

Independent Broadcasters of Ireland

September–December

[Communications] Briefing to all Oireachtas members on the current state of news & current affairs on Independent Radio

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Aidan Davitt', 'role': 'Senator (Seanad)'} {'name': 'Aisling Dolan', 'role': 'Senator (Seanad)'} {'name': 'Alice-Mary Higgins', 'role': 'Senator (Seanad)'} {'name': 'Annie Hoey', 'role': 'Senator (Seanad)'} {'name': 'Barry Ward', 'role': 'Senator (Seanad)'} {'name': 'Catherine Ardagh', 'role': 'Senator (Seanad)'} + 218 more

Independent Broadcasters of Ireland

September–December

[Communications] Online Safety & Media Regulation Bill - the radio broadcasting elements of the bill

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Email All Oireachtas Members', 'role': 'The CEOs of all member stations of the IBI engaged their local elected representatives to invite them to an information session on Oct 6th. \n\nThis email also included concerns from each radio station on the on-going costs associated with the Broadcasting Levy.\n\nThe members also made representations to TDs & Senators highlighting concerns over certain elements of the Online Safety & Media Regulation Bill; namely that local independent radio be included in the Journalism Bursary provided for therein and for the establishment of a dedicated Broadcasting Commissioner in the new Media Commission.'} {'name': 'Martin Conway', 'role': 'Senator (Seanad)'} {'name': 'Mark Daly', 'role': 'Senator (Seanad)'} {'name': 'David Norris', 'role': 'Senator (Seanad)'} {'name': 'Gerard Craughwell', 'role': 'Senator (Seanad)'} {'name': 'Rónán Mullen', 'role': 'Senator (Seanad)'} + 219 more

Independent Broadcasters of Ireland

January–April

[Communications] Online Safety and Media Regulation

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Email All Senators', 'role': 'Share information document prior to debate'} {'name': 'Malcolm Byrne', 'role': 'Senator (Seanad)'}

Independent Broadcasters of Ireland

May–August

[Communications] Representations to politicians regarding policy objectives of Independent Broadcasters of Ireland concerning the forthcoming Online Safety and Medial Regulation Bill

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Seán Canney', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': "Pauline O'Reilly", 'role': 'Senator (Seanad)'} {'name': 'Pearse Doherty', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Claire Kerrane', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Seán Kyne', 'role': 'Senator (Seanad)'} {'name': 'Hildegarde Naughton', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} + 3 more

Independent Broadcasters of Ireland

January–April

[Communications] Meetings with members of Fine Gael Parliamentary Party as part of an initiative undertaken by them on Future of Local Media. Fine Gael had circulated questionnaires to IBI member stations regarding business experience during the pandemic. This meeting was for them to share results and to question radio station operators about what is required to sustain the sector

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Richard Bruton', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Jerry Buttimer', 'role': 'Senator (Seanad)'} {'name': 'Ciaran Cannon', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Bernard Durkan', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Paul Kehoe', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Micheál Carrigy', 'role': 'Senator (Seanad)'} + 1 more

Independent Broadcasters of Ireland

May–August

[Communications] Attended as a witness at a meeting of the Joint Oireachtas committee on Media on May 6th 2021

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Ciaran Cannon', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Fintan Warfield', 'role': 'Senator (Seanad)'} {'name': 'Malcolm Byrne', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Johnny Mythen', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': "Christopher O'Sullivan", 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Shane Cassells', 'role': 'Senator (Seanad)'}

Bauer Media Audio Ireland

May–August

[Communications] Chris Doyle appeared on behalf of the Independent Broadcasters of Ireland at Joint Oireachtas Committee on Tourism, Culture, Arts, Sport and Media in relation to the Broadcasting Amendment Bill

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Ciaran Cannon', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Alan Dillon', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Peter Fitzpatrick', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Brendan Griffin', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Mattie McGrath', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Imelda Munster', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} + 8 more

Independent Broadcasters of Ireland

September–December

[Communications] Attended as a witness at a meeting of the Joint Oireachtas committee on Media on November 17th

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Malcolm Byrne', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Johnny Mythen', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': "Christopher O'Sullivan", 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Shane Cassells', 'role': 'Senator (Seanad)'} {'name': 'Micheál Carrigy', 'role': 'Senator (Seanad)'} {'name': 'Fintan Warfield', 'role': 'Senator (Seanad)'} + 1 more

Lobbying Tracker

Most Lobbied TDs