The Institute of Directors Ireland

Politician(s) lobbied: Niamh Smyth (Minister of State), Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment; Declan Hughes (Secretary General), Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment

Intent: To share new IoD Ireland research, which addressed the perspectives of over 378 directors’ and business leaders’ views on AI Governance and competitiveness. The research was undertaken between 24 February – 6 March 2026.::Our new research provides a clear message: Irish leaders recognise the transformative potential of AI, but the pace of adoption is outstripping the development of governance, skills, and regulatory preparedness. With 61% organisations already using AI tools, boards must now ensure they have the literacy, guardrails, and oversight mechanisms required to deploy AI responsibly.

Methods: Email

Politician(s) lobbied: Thomas Byrne (Minister of State), Department of the Taoiseach

Intent: To share new IoD Ireland research, which addressed the perspectives of over 363 business leaders on the forthcoming Irish Presidency of the Council of the European Union; as well as business sentiment going into 2026; and expected challenges for 2026. ::In this new research, we asked our 3,500 members, to prioritise what they feel the Government should prioritise in the upcoming Irish Presidency of the Council of the European Union. The top priorities selected included: the simplification of regulation; the enhancement of global competitiveness and resolution of the negative impact of trade tariffs; and a deeper single market, notably for energy, finance, and telecommunications.

Methods: Meeting

Politician(s) lobbied: Joseph Hackett (Secretary General), Department of Foreign Affairs; Helen McEntee (Minister), Department of Foreign Affairs; Thomas Byrne (Minister of State), Department of the Taoiseach

Intent: To share new IoD Ireland research, which addressed the perspectives of over 363 business leaders on the forthcoming Irish Presidency of the Council of the European Union; as well as business sentiment going into 2026; and expected challenges for 2026. ::In this new research, we asked our 3,500 members, to prioritise what they feel the Government should prioritise in the upcoming Irish Presidency of the Council of the European Union. The top priorities selected included: the simplification of regulation; the enhancement of global competitiveness and resolution of the negative impact of trade tariffs; and a deeper single market, notably for energy, finance, and telecommunications.

Methods: Email

Politician(s) lobbied: Oonagh Buckley (Secretary General), Department of Environment, Climate and Communications; Feargal Ó Coigligh (Secretary General), Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media; Jacqui McCrum (Secretary General), Department of Defence; Bernie McNally (Secretary General), Department of Education; Declan Hughes (Secretary General), Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment; John Hogan (Secretary General), Department of Finance; Joseph Hackett (Secretary General), Department of Foreign Affairs; Colm O'Reardon (Secretary General), Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science; Robert Watt (Secretary General), Department of Health; David Moloney (Secretary General), Department of Public Expenditure and Reform; Mary Hurley (Secretary General), Department of Rural and Community Development; Graham Doyle (Secretary General), Department of Justice; Patrick O'Donovan (Minister of State), Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media; Jack Chambers (Minister), Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform

Intent: We launched our State Body Governance position paper presenting a set of strategic recommendations aimed at bolstering accountability, transparency, and oversight, with a focus on streamlining the 'Code of Practice for the Governance of State Bodies', and improving it to better include core principles and provisions in relation to governance. We shared these findings with Government Department Secretary Generals with the intended purposes of them reviewing & reflecting on the recommendations.

Methods: Email

Politician(s) lobbied: Jack Chambers (Minister), Department of Finance

Intent: Engagement with Minister Chambers about the IoD Ireland paper on State Body Governance. We asked the Minister to reflect on our reflections and recommendations in the report on State Body Governance. The note asked for a meeting to engage, as well as further engagement to acknowledge the findings of the report in a foreword and a PR. Our media agency Q4 have also assisted with this engagement.

Methods: Email

Politician(s) lobbied: David Moloney (Secretary General), Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform; Jack Chambers (Minister), Department of Finance

Intent: To brief Minister Chambers and the Secretary General of the Department of Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform about the IoD Ireland paper on State Body Governance.

Methods: MeetingEmail

Politician(s) lobbied: Kevin O’Brien (Head of Governance & Public Affairs), Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform

Intent: To brief a contact from the the Department of Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform about a new IoD Ireland white paper on State Body Governance.

Methods: Meeting

Politician(s) lobbied: Unknown

Intent: Unknown

Methods: Unknown

Politician(s) lobbied: Nick Miller (Government Press Secretary), Department of the Taoiseach; Paschal Donohoe (Minister), Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform; Patrick O'Donovan (Minister of State), Department of Public Expenditure and Reform; Ossian Smyth (Minister of State), Department of Public Expenditure and Reform; David Moloney (Secretary General), Department of Public Expenditure and Reform; John Kinnane (Acting Assistant Secretary), Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform; Michael McGrath (Minister), Department of Public Expenditure and Reform; Jennifer Carroll MacNeill (Minister of State), Department of Finance; Ronnie Downes (Assistant Secretary), Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment; Declan Hughes (Assistant Secretary), Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment; John Hogan (Secretary General), Department of Finance; Oliver Gilvarry (Assistant Secretary), Department of Finance; Dara Calleary (Minister of State), Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment; Neale Richmond (Minister of State), Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment; Simon Coveney (Minister), Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment; Declan Hughes (Assistant Secretary), Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment

Intent: IoD Ireland is the leading membership body for directors and business leaders in Ireland, with membership across all sectors and industries, but predominantly the financial services sector (31%). Our Vision is for Ireland to be an exemplar of corporate governance.::Our Purpose is to instil stakeholder trust and confidence in organisations by educating, informing, and supporting directors and business leaders to lead successfully. Being the voice of directors and an advocate for the highest standards of corporate governance in Ireland is a core strategic pillar for IoD, who has detailed knowledge of best practice standards, codes of practice and the techniques and processes associated with high performing boards.::We will be conducting further research with directors and members on the area of state board governance. Our aim is to provide practical recommendations to help support the Government and department in further enhancing the governance of State agencies. This new survey will al

Methods: Email

Politician(s) lobbied: Simon Coveney (Minister), Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment; Dara Calleary (Minister of State), Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment; Declan Hughes (Assistant Secretary), Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment; John Hogan (Secretary General), Department of Finance; Neale Richmond (Minister of State), Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment

Intent: IoD Ireland submitted our formal response to the UK FRC on the revision to their Corporate Governance Code consultation. We shared our formal submission with relevant Government Ministers and departments for reference.

Methods: Email