Athlone Chamber of Commerce and Industry

Politician(s) lobbied: Jean Ryan (Director of Services or Equivalent), Westmeath County Council; Aengus O'Rourke (Councillor), Westmeath County Council; John Keogh (Councillor), Roscommon County Council

Intent: To seek financial support towards the delivery of a business event, including room hire, support for event programming, promotion and stakeholder engagement.

Methods: Email

Politician(s) lobbied: Shane Tiernan (Acting Chief Executive Officer), Roscommon County Council

Intent: To express support for the proposed Ballymore development project as part of the Athlone 2040 framework and to advocate for its progression in support of regeneration, economic development and increased residential and commercial activity within Athlone.

Methods: Meeting

Politician(s) lobbied: Ciaran Mullooly (MEP), European Parliament

Intent: To engage with organisers regarding traffic management arrangements associated with a farmer protest in Athlone, with the objective of minimising disruption to businesses, commuters and general town centre activity.

Methods: Informal communication

Politician(s) lobbied: Darragh O'Brien (Minister), Department of Climate, Energy and the Environment; Peter Burke (Minister), Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment

Intent: To raise concerns regarding the recent sharp increase in fuel and home heating oil prices, seek clarification on market factors contributing to the increases, and request Government oversight and measures to ensure pricing transparency and prevent potential price exploitation.

Methods: Email

Politician(s) lobbied: Barry Kehoe (Chief Executive Officer), Westmeath County Council; Jean Ryan (Director of Services or Equivalent), Westmeath County Council

Intent: To receive an update from Westmeath County Council on planning progress related to the Living City Initiative including timelines, scope and next steps.

Methods: Meeting

Politician(s) lobbied: Barry Kehoe (Chief Executive Officer), Westmeath County Council; Shane Tiernan (Acting Chief Executive Officer), Roscommon County Council; Kevin Boxer Moran (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Robert Troy (Minister of State), Department of Finance; Peter Burke (Minister), Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment; Martin Daly (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas

Intent: To convey the Chamber’s support for Ireland’s EU Presidency and its willingness to assist in the delivery of events with paired EU countries, ensuring Athlone is actively engaged and positioned to benefit from the EU Presidency programme.

Methods: Email

Politician(s) lobbied: Ciaran Mullooly (MEP), European Parliament

Intent: To discuss concerns regarding the potential impact of the Mercosur trade deal on communities including agriculture, retail, employment and the wider local economy.

Methods: Meeting

Politician(s) lobbied: Barry Kehoe (Chief Executive Officer), Westmeath County Council

Intent: To advocate for the designation of all of Athlone as a Special Regeneration Area within the Living City Initiative

Methods: Letter

Politician(s) lobbied: Jackie Finney (Director of Services or Equivalent), Westmeath County Council

Intent: To raise concerns regarding the availability and capacity of childcare facilities in Athlone, particularly in the context of workforce participation and business growth.

Methods: Meeting

Politician(s) lobbied: Shane Tiernan (Acting Chief Executive Officer), Roscommon County Council; Mark Keaveney (Director of Services or Equivalent), Roscommon County Council; Liam Callaghan (Councillor), Roscommon County Council

Intent: To ascertain the position of Roscommon County Council with regards to the Living City Initiative. This will help us frame our approach to the implementation of the initiative.

Methods: Email