Overwatch Report

Irish Universities Association

January–April

[Education and Training] HEA PRIORITIES FOR 2026

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Alan Wall', 'role': 'Chief Executive Officer (Higher Education Authority)'}

Irish Universities Association

January–April

[Education and Training] EU Budget

Public Officials Lobbied

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

Irish Universities Association

January–April

[Education and Training] General discussion of Government Priorities and IUA Cooperation

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Pat McParland', 'role': 'Deputy Chief of Staff (Department of the Taoiseach)'} {'name': 'John Callinan', 'role': 'Secretary General (Department of the Taoiseach)'} {'name': 'Micheál Martin', 'role': 'Tánaiste and Minister (Department of Foreign Affairs)'} {'name': 'Max Murphy', 'role': 'Special Adviser (Department of the Taoiseach)'} {'name': 'Deirdre Gillane', 'role': 'Chief of Staff (Department of the Taoiseach)'} {'name': 'Donna McGettigan', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} + 10 more

Irish Universities Association

January–April

[Education and Training] LAUNCH OF RI STRATEGY

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Dr Siobhan Roche', 'role': 'Director of Science (Science Foundation Ireland)'}

Irish Universities Association

January–April

[Education and Training] DETE PRIORITIES

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Declan Hughes', 'role': 'Secretary General (Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment)'}

Irish Universities Association

January–April

[Education and Training] DFHERIS PRIORITIES FOR 2026

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': "Colm O'Reardon", 'role': 'Secretary General (Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science)'} {'name': 'Keith Moynes', 'role': 'Assistant Secretary (Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science)'} {'name': 'Amii McKeever', 'role': 'Special Advisor (Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science)'} {'name': 'Paul Lemass', 'role': 'Assistant Secretary (Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science)'} {'name': 'Fiona O’Byrne', 'role': 'Assistant Secretary (Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science)'} {'name': 'Marian Harkin', 'role': 'Minister of State (Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science)'} + 1 more

Irish Universities Association

January–April

[Education and Training] Seeking support for increase state investment in HE in response to sustained inflationary pressures

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Orla Nugent', 'role': 'Deputy Chief Executive (Higher Education Authority)'}

Irish Universities Association

January–April

[Education and Training] 1. Clarity re Minister's media interview 2. Minister unable to attend IUA MicroCreds capstone event, and need to find alternative; 3.preparing document to assist DFHERIS with inter-departmental meetings

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Keith Moynes', 'role': 'Assistant Secretary (Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science)'}

Irish Universities Association

January–April

[Budgetary matters] Pre-budget submission

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'William Beausang', 'role': 'Assistant Secretary (Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science)'}

Irish Universities Association

January–April

[Budgetary matters] Institutional funding of doctoral education

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Dr Diarmuid O’Brien', 'role': 'Chief Executive Officer (Taighde Éireann – Research Ireland)'}

Irish Universities Association

January–April

[Education and Training] National research infrastructure - data storage

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'William Beausang', 'role': 'Assistant Secretary (Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science)'}

Irish Universities Association

January–April

[Education and Training] Meeting with IUA Council

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Dr Diarmuid O’Brien', 'role': 'Chief Executive Officer (Taighde Éireann – Research Ireland)'}

Irish Universities Association

January–April

[Education and Training] Invitation to contribute to Education Yearbook

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'James Lawless', 'role': 'Minister (Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science)'} {'name': 'Dr Diarmuid O’Brien', 'role': 'Chief Executive Officer (Taighde Éireann – Research Ireland)'}

Irish Universities Association

January–April

[Education and Training] Framework Programme 10

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Dr Diarmuid O’Brien', 'role': 'Chief Executive Officer (Taighde Éireann – Research Ireland)'}

Irish Universities Association

May–August

[Education and Training] Doctoral Education policy

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'William Beausang', 'role': 'Assistant Secretary (Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science)'}

Irish Universities Association

January–April

[Education and Training] 1. Research Security Guidelines; 2. Framework Programme 10; 3. IUA Future of Ireland Event - Minister's keynote

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'William Beausang', 'role': 'Assistant Secretary (Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science)'}

Irish Universities Association

January–April

[Education and Training] International Research Strategy

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Dr Diarmuid O’Brien', 'role': 'Chief Executive Officer (Taighde Éireann – Research Ireland)'}

Irish Universities Association

January–April

[Education and Training] 1. Research Ireland - Strategy Development; 2. Invitation to infrastructure event and discussion on technical support; 3. National research policy priorities; 4. Follow-up to meeting with Minister; 5. INSPIRE briefing webinar and follow up Q&A

Public Officials Lobbied

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

Irish Universities Association

September–December

[Education and Training] Meeting request

Public Officials Lobbied

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

Irish Universities Association

September–December

[Budgetary matters] Budget 2026; Research Infrastructure

Public Officials Lobbied

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

Irish Universities Association

January–April

[Budgetary matters] Higher education policy issues & investment in core funding and pay awards & Request/proposal for investment in universities to enable them to reach their Climate Action targets 2030

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Keith Moynes', 'role': 'Assistant Secretary (Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science)'}

Irish Universities Association

January–April

[Education and Training] The current status of the research system and the opportunities for PhD programme to add value

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'William Beausang', 'role': 'Assistant Secretary (Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science)'}

Irish Universities Association

January–April

[Economic Development and Industry] Meeting with IUA Council to discuss priorities and challenges for 2025 and beyond.

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': "Colm O'Reardon", 'role': 'Secretary General (Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science)'}

Irish Universities Association

January–April

[Education and Training] Part-time and flexible students SUSI pilot- widening participation

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Keith Moynes', 'role': 'Assistant Secretary (Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science)'}

Irish Universities Association

January–April

[Public Expenditure and Reform] Broad-ranging discussion on government priorities for higher education including the need for delivery of commitments on core funding and pay awards, and the need for a designated fund for research infrastructure, equipment and talent

Public Officials Lobbied

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

Irish Universities Association

January–April

[Education and Training] The current status of the research system and the need for investment in infrastructure

Public Officials Lobbied

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

Irish Universities Association

January–April

[Education and Training] Attracting global research talent to Ireland

Public Officials Lobbied

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

Irish Universities Association

January–April

[Budgetary matters] Funding priorities for higher education and research

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Donna McGettigan', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'}

Irish Universities Association

January–April

[Education and Training] Part-time and flexible students SUSI pilot- widening participation

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Keith Moynes', 'role': 'Assistant Secretary (Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science)'}

Irish Universities Association

January–April

[Economic Development and Industry] IUA submission regarding priorities for National Development Plan review

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': "Colm O'Reardon", 'role': 'Secretary General (Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science)'} {'name': 'William Beausang', 'role': 'Assistant Secretary (Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science)'} {'name': 'Paul Lemass', 'role': 'Assistant Secretary (Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science)'}

Lobbying Tracker

Most Lobbied TDs