Politician(s) lobbied: Jennifer Whitmore (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Padráig Mac Lochlainn (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Michael Moynihan (Minister of State), Department of Education; Hildegarde Naughton (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Timmy Dooley (Minister of State), Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine; Sorca Clarke (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Ruth Coppinger (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Mary Lou McDonald (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Lynn Boylan (MEP), European Parliament; Eoin Ó Broin (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Thomas Gould (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Darren O'Rourke (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas
Intent: Gather information on when the marine protected area bill will be released and highlight our key asks to ensure it is ambitious and effective. Gather information on how the EMFAF fund is spent. Address issues around forestry information in schools. Gather information around wildlife crime in Ireland
Methods: Event / ReceptionMeetingEmailLetterVirtual Meeting
Details by Method
Event / Reception
Attended Sinn Fein Ard Fheis and spoke to representatives about marine protected areas and the need for national legislation. Also spoke on the importance of cross border collaboration.
Meeting
Attended and lobbied politicians at two Joint Oireachtas Committees on MPAs and fisheries. Had in person meetings with Jennifer Whitmore to discuss tangle nets, fisheries natura declarations an dbest practice MPAs.
Email
Emails to TD's asking them to submit parliamentary questions on topics around the European Maritime Fisheries and Aquaculture fund, fisheries management plans and information on wildlife crime
Letter
Letters to Ministers and TDs to address forestry material distributed to schools.
Virtual Meeting
Online meeting with Padraig MacLoughlin to discuss inland fisheries
Politician(s) lobbied: Timmy Dooley (Minister of State), Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine; Michael McNamara (MEP), European Parliament; Thomas Byrne (Minister of State), Department of Foreign Affairs; Seán Kelly (MEP), European Parliament; Kathleen Funchion (MEP), European Parliament; Nina Carberry (MEP), European Parliament
Intent: Any review of the CFP doesn't result in a weakening of the environmental aspects.::Better management of current Natura 2000 sites under the bird and habitats directives::Faster delivery of ambitious MPA legislation in Ireland::Funding made available for restoration acitivies under the nature restoration regulation::We want these environmental priorities kept in mind during the Irish presidency of the EU COuncil in the second half of 2026::We want a stop to be put to the weakening of environmental laws at EU level through the simplification agenda::Fox hunting to be banned in Ireland
Methods: EmailMeetingVirtual MeetingSocial Media
Details by Method
Email
Emails to MEPs requesting meetings while in Brussels for EU Ocean week
Meeting
Met in the European parliament to discuss marine protected areas with MEP Michael McNamara. Met with Minister Thomas Byrne in the government buildings to discuss upcoming EU Irish council presidency, upcoming EU legislation (reviews of CFP, the EU Ocean Act) and current issues with Ireland's management of protected sites designated under EU law.
Virtual Meeting
Met with Minister Timmy Dooley alongside fishing representatives to discuss the CFP and sustainability impact assessments aorund fisheries. The meeting was in person but I attended online due to other engagements.
Social Media
Posts highlighting the European call for evidence on the simplification of environmental laws and encouraging people to submit. Posts highlighting the upcoming bill to ban fox hunting and encouraging people to contact their TDs.
Politician(s) lobbied: Timmy Dooley (Minister of State), Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine
Intent: Find out information on the evaluation of the CFP at EU level. Highlight that Ireland is not effectively implementing articles within the CFP. Highlight some key points to be included within the EU Ocean Pact. Find out timelines on the MPA Bill.
Methods: MeetingVirtual Meeting
Details by Method
Meeting
Met with Minister of State Timmy Dooley and EU Commissioner for the oceans Costas Kadis during European Maritime Days in Cork. Meetings were organised and specific agenda points were set. I asked about the evaluation of the CFP at EU level and highlighted IWT views. Also asked about the content of the EU Ocean Pact since the draft was dissapointing. To the Minister I highlighted Ireland's failure to enact articles within the CFP resulting in unfair quota allocation.
Virtual Meeting
Online meeting with the Minister on the evaluation of the CFP. highlighted lack of transparency in quota allocations at EU and National level, Article 17 not being implemented at national level and Irelands failure to enact any joint recomendaitons to protect offshore MPAs with fisheries management measures
Politician(s) lobbied: Jack Chambers (Minister), Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform; James Browne (Minister), Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage; Darragh O'Brien (Minister), Department of Transport; Mary Butler (Government Chief Whip and Minister), Department of the Taoiseach; James Lawless (Minister), Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science; Norma Foley (Minister), Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth; Micheál Martin (Taoiseach), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; John Paul O'Shea (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; John Cummins (Minister of State), Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage; Martin Heydon (Minister), Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine; Jennifer Carroll MacNeill (Minister), Department of Health; Paschal Donohoe (Minister), Department of Finance; Helen McEntee (Minister), Department of Education; Simon Harris (Tánaiste and Minister), Department of Foreign Affairs; Lynn Boylan (MEP), European Parliament; Feljin Jose (Councillor), Dublin City Council
Intent: Have some of our key asks for nature and the environment included with the new Governemnts programme for Government. Get some information about issues happening at EU level and what best we can do at a national level.
Methods: EmailVirtual MeetingMeetingEvent / Reception
Details by Method
Email
Emails to key negotiators from FF and FG parties during the talks around the programme for government
Virtual Meeting
Lynn Boylan hosted an onine meeting to discuss EU issues. Asked about the common fisheries policy and its possible reopening
Meeting
One meeting with Feljin Jose a green party councillor. Dscussed his local work and some of IWT's work. Asked about the MPA Bill issues.
Event / Reception
Spoke with MEP Lynn Boylan at a Sinn Fein hosted event on One Island One Environment. Asked about issues at EU level and what we should be doing to ensure environmental legislation is not weakened
Politician(s) lobbied: Barry Cowen (MEP), European Parliament; Cynthia Ní Mhurchú (MEP), European Parliament; Michael McNamara (MEP), European Parliament; Nina Carberry (MEP), European Parliament; Seán Kelly (MEP), European Parliament; Lynn Boylan (MEP), European Parliament; Ciaran Mullooly (MEP), European Parliament; Luke Ming Flanagan (MEP), European Parliament; Billy Kelleher (MEP), European Parliament; Barry Andrews (MEP), European Parliament; Regina Doherty (MEP), European Parliament; Kathleen Funchion (MEP), European Parliament; Malcolm Noonan (Minister of State), Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage; Aodhán Ó Ríordáin (MEP), European Parliament; Maria Walsh (MEP), European Parliament
Intent: Engage with newly elected MEPs on environmental issues. Try to get environmental issues included in national parties election manifestos.
Methods: EmailSocial MediaMeeting
Details by Method
Email
Emails to newly elected Irish MEPs to organise in person meetings. Emails requesting specific MEPs raise issues at a debate on marine protected areas.
Social Media
Highlighted issues to be included within Irish national party manifestos. Gave ideas to general public on questions they could ask candidates in regards to nature protection
Meeting
Meetings with Irish MEPs to discuss environmental issues such as the Nature Restoration Law, Offshore Renewable Energy, Marine Protected Aras, Common Fisheries Policy, Bottom Trawling, Peatland restoration and sustainable spatial planning
Politician(s) lobbied: Malcolm Noonan (Minister of State), Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage; Simon Harris (An Taoiseach), Department of the Taoiseach; Eamon Ryan (Minister), Department of Environment, Climate and Communications; Alice-Mary Higgins (Senator), Seanad; Darren O'Rourke (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Lynn Boylan (MEP), European Parliament; Cynthia Ní Mhurchú (MEP), European Parliament; Barry Andrews (MEP), European Parliament; Ciaran Mullooly (MEP), European Parliament; Michael McNamara (MEP), European Parliament; Kathleen Funchion (MEP), European Parliament; Regina Doherty (MEP), European Parliament; Barry Cowen (MEP), European Parliament; Aodhán Ó Ríordáin (MEP), European Parliament
Intent: Ensuring the ocean was included in the EU Strategic Agenda, that marine conservation was included in parties election manifestos and that there was good coherence with the Nature Restoration Law and Common Fisheries Policy, requesting EU Commissioner to contact Irish Minister on MPA legislation
Methods: MeetingEmailInformal communication
Details by Method
Meeting
Discussed future party election manifestos and spoke of the importance of including strong protection for the marine environment as well as coherence with EU legisaltion such as the Nature Restoration Law and the Common Fisheries Policy
Email
Email sent to EU Commissioner for the Oceans requesting he contact Irish Minister for the Environment on the status of the Irish MPA legislation (they already have a relationship through working on the Nature Restoration Law). Emails to Ministers requesting they bring up the ocean and the need for better protection when discussing and deciding on the EU Strategic Agenda. Email requesting in person meetings with new Irish MEPs
Informal communication
Spoke about the timeline of MPA Bill as well as the Nature Restoration Law
Politician(s) lobbied: Deirdre Clune (MEP), European Parliament; Billy Kelleher (MEP), European Parliament; Colm Markey (MEP), European Parliament; Chris MacManus (MEP), European Parliament; Seán Kelly (MEP), European Parliament; Maria Walsh (MEP), European Parliament; Barry Andrews (MEP), European Parliament; Frances Fitzgerald (MEP), European Parliament; Charlie McConalogue (Minister), Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine; Malcolm Noonan (Minister of State), Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage; Mick Wallace (MEP), European Parliament; Barry Andrews (MEP), European Parliament; Thomas Pringle (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Clare Daly (MEP), European Parliament; Christopher O'Sullivan (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Padráig Mac Lochlainn (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Joe McHugh (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Pearse Doherty (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Chris MacManus (MEP), European Parliament; Luke Ming Flanagan (MEP), European Parliament; Darragh O'Brien (Minister), Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage; Rebecca Moynihan (Senator), Seanad; Aodhán Ó Ríordáin (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Elaine McGinty (Councillor), Meath County Council
Intent: Timelines for the release of Irish MPA legislation. Continued support for the EU nature restoration law in the final plenary vote. Information on Irelands protected area pledge and roadmap for the EU fisheries action plan.
Methods: MeetingEmailSubmissionVirtual Meeting
Details by Method
Meeting
Meeting with Irish MEP candidate, TD and councillors at the Labour conference where we discussed the national MPA legislation, Offshore renewable energy, links betwen EU law and Irish law. Met with Irish MEP at an event for the NRL which we organised and discussed the upcoming plenary vote. Requested that they support the law along with a free vote within their EU group.
Email
Requests to Irish Ministers for meetings to discuss the status of Ireland's protected area pledge for the EU Biodiveristy stratedy and whether 10% strictly protected areas will be included. Emails to MEPs requesting them to reject an urgent procedure calling for a revision of fisheries multi annual plans. Request to MEPs to support the NRL in the final plenary vote and to reject any ammendments. Meeting request with EU colleague with MEPs on the pellet loss regulation. Request for a PQ
Submission
The IWT sent in a submission on Trawling Activity Inside the Six Nautical Mile Zone and the Baselines and Ireland’s Draft ORE Future Framework Policy Statement
Virtual Meeting
Virtual meetings with MEP to discuss Nature Restoration Law final vote
Politician(s) lobbied: Deirdre Clune (MEP), European Parliament; Billy Kelleher (MEP), European Parliament; Colm Markey (MEP), European Parliament; Chris MacManus (MEP), European Parliament; Seán Kelly (MEP), European Parliament; Maria Walsh (MEP), European Parliament; Barry Andrews (MEP), European Parliament; Frances Fitzgerald (MEP), European Parliament; Mary Lou McDonald (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Mary Fitzpatrick (Senator), Seanad; Cian O'Callaghan (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Charlie McConalogue (Minister), Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine; Malcolm Noonan (Minister of State), Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage; Mick Wallace (MEP), European Parliament; Eamon Ryan (Minister), Department of Environment, Climate and Communications; Darragh O'Brien (Minister), Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage; Eoin Ó Broin (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Barry Andrews (MEP), European Parliament; Thomas Pringle (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Grace O'Sullivan (MEP), European Parliament
Intent: Information on Ireland's protected area pledge for the EU Biodiversity Strategy. Timelines for the release of Irish MPA legislation. Continued support for the EU nature resotration law during and after trilogue negotiations
Methods: EmailMeetingSubmissionVirtual Meeting
Details by Method
Email
Emails to TD's were inviting them to the Dail AV room for a presentation on the MPA legislation. Follow up emails after Ard Fheis. Emails to Minister's were asking for the Irish Council position on Article 14a of the nature restoration law and asking for progress on the national pledge for the EU Biodiversity strategy. Asked minister's if they were attending the fisheries action plan meeting. Emails to MEP's were requesting meetings to discuss the NRL and to ask for their continued support.
Meeting
Meeting with Sinn Fein TD's and party leader at the Sinn Fein Ard Fheis and discussed the new Irish MPA legislation. Meeting with MEP's to discuss the final text of the Nature Restoration Law and organise events in Brussels and Ireland
Submission
The IWT sent in a submission on the AA's for Oyster Aquaculture Licences in Valentia Harbour and Portmagee Channel
Virtual Meeting
Virtual meetings with MEPs to discuss Nature Restoration Law final text.
Politician(s) lobbied: Colm Markey (MEP), European Parliament; Deirdre Clune (MEP), European Parliament; Barry Andrews (MEP), European Parliament; Billy Kelleher (MEP), European Parliament; Ciarán Cuffe (MEP), European Parliament; Catherine Connolly (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Thomas Pringle (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Seán Kelly (MEP), European Parliament; Frances Fitzgerald (MEP), European Parliament; Chris MacManus (MEP), European Parliament; Maria Walsh (MEP), European Parliament; Luke Ming Flanagan (MEP), European Parliament; Clare Daly (MEP), European Parliament; Mick Wallace (MEP), European Parliament; Grace O'Sullivan (MEP), European Parliament
Intent: Information on upcoming national MPA legislation. Successful communication of key results and targets we wanted included::TD's and Minister's to be aware of important marine issues at national and EU level which need to be publicly spoken about and receive support.::Support for important marine issues including the new Irish MPA legislation, marine amendments in the EU Nature Restoration Law, issues on the Common Fisheries Policy and information on how MEPs intended to vote during plenary votes on EU legislation.
Methods: MeetingEmailSubmissionVirtual Meeting
Details by Method
Meeting
Meetings in the Dail were to give TD's an information booklet on the key NGO asks for the Nature Restoration Law, link this to the importance of the Irish MPA legislation and speak about the results of the Citizen's Assembly on Biodiversity.The meetings in the EU were to ask MEPs to vote positively for the Nature Restoration Law in an upcoming vote and to also highlight some key marine amendments to vote positively for.
Email
Most emails were requesting a meeting (either in person or virtual). Other emails included asking for support for the Nature Restoration Law and including a key ask document for the marine amendments. Other emails also asked politicians to speak about marine issues when speaking publicly either in the Dail or the EU and linked in appropriate points in the Nature restoration law and the new Irish MPA legislation.
Submission
The Irish Wildlife Trust sent in a submission to the public consultation on the Fisheries Natura Plan for mussel seed fishery in the Irish Sea
Virtual Meeting
Virtual meetings with MEPs to speak about the issues surrounding the Nature Restoration Law and to speak about the negative media surrounding it and reiterate some of the facts and highlight NGO key asks
Politician(s) lobbied: Charlie McConalogue (Minister), Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine
Intent: to ask for acceleration of fisheries management plans in Natura 2000 sites
Methods: Letter
