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\n Former Labour senator Aideen Hayden in 2017 Eamonn Farrell \/ RollingNews.ie<\/p>\n
AT LEAST 63 former politicians and civil servants have been named in almost 100 returns on the Lobbying Register as approaching one-time colleagues in recent years.<\/p>\n
An analysis by\u00a0The Journal of more than 83,000 returns filed on the register since 2020 found how dozens of former Taoisigh, T\u00e1inist\u00ed, ministers, TDs, senators and advisers from across the political spectrum have lobbied those they once worked alongside.<\/p>\n
The lobbyists include former taoiseach Brian Cowen and former cabinet ministers Simon Coveney, Frances Fitzgerald, Mary Coughlan, Richard Bruton, Catherine Martin and Stephen Donnelly, as well as a handful of government advisers.<\/p>\n
The disclosures illustrate the \u201crevolving door\u201d between public office and lobbying, as former politicians and advisers move into roles representing businesses, industry groups and charities seeking to influence government policy.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Lobbying is defined as any communication made directly or indirectly to a specific high-level official about a matter relating to public policy, law, or land zoning.<\/p>\n
It can take the form of an email, phone call, an invitation to an event or an in-person meeting.<\/p>\n
This latest list provides one of the most detailed pictures of ex-TDs and special advisers lobbying their former political colleagues, as recorded on the Lobbying Register administered by Sipo to make efforts to influence public decisions more transparent.<\/p>\n
Prominent politicians listed among those who were approached include Taoiseach Miche\u00e1l Martin, T\u00e1naiste Simon Harris, and party leaders like Labour\u2019s Ivana Bacik and the Green Party\u2019s Roderic O\u2019Gorman.<\/p>\n
The returns examined cover January 2020 to August 2026 \u2013 the end of the most recent filing period for returns \u2013 and cover lobbying for multinational companies, property interests, housing charities, trade unions and disability services.<\/p>\n
Lobbyists must submit returns three times a year, identifying the officials contacted, the subject of the lobbying and the result they hoped to achieve.<\/p>\n
They must also identify whether former Designated Public Officials (DPOs) \u2013 high-ranking politicians or civil servants \u2013 were involved in the lobbying.<\/p>\n
The 91 disclosures listed here are supporting examples rather than a complete count of lobbying over that period: a return filed on the register can record several contacts, while the same activity can appear in more than one organisation\u2019s return.<\/p>\n
Lobbying former colleagues is not in itself improper and is a regular part of the political system.<\/p>\n
By law, people who are considered DPOs are subject to a one-year \u2018cooling-off\u2019 period from lobbying after they leave office, unless SIPO grants them an exemption.<\/p>\n
The list below features the names of those who engaged in lobbying their former colleagues since 2020, when the lobbying took place, their relationship to the politician or civil servant lobbied, and what the lobbying involved.<\/p>\n
Where a specific date is not given for lobbying, the dates refer to the four-month period covered by the return. The examples are not a complete account of every approach made by each person in the course of their lobbying activity.\n<\/p>\n
Aideen Hayden<\/p>\n
\n Former Labour senator Aideen Hayden in 2017 Eamonn Farrell \/ RollingNews.ie<\/p>\n
Eamonn Farrell \/ RollingNews.ie \/ RollingNews.ie\n<\/p>\n
Former Labour senator Aideen Hayden, who served in the Seanad from 2011 to 2016, is named in<\/a> two separate returns<\/a> for housing charity Threshold in which she mass emailed TDs and Senators between January and April 2021.<\/p>\n Those emails were sent to her former parliamentary party colleagues Alan Kelly, Ged Nash, Brendan Howlin and Ivana Bacik.\u00a0<\/p>\n The charity contacted the politicians as part of wider approaches setting out its assessment of legislation (though it didn\u2019t say what this legislation was).<\/p>\n Alan Farrell<\/p>\n Laura Hutton \/ RollingNews.ie \/ RollingNews.ie\n<\/p>\n Alan Farrell, who served as a Fine Gael TD from 2011 to 2024 and a senator until January 2025, was named in a return<\/a> as lobbying on behalf of Liquid Gas Ireland between May and August 2025.<\/p>\n The return covered approaches by Farrell to his former parliamentary party colleagues Peter Burke and Jerry Buttimer.<\/p>\n The lobbying sought to introduce Farrell as the organisation\u2019s new senior director for government affairs and policy and highlighted its priorities for rural consumers and businesses.<\/p>\n Anna Conlan<\/p>\n Anna Conlan, who was a special adviser to Green Party leaders Eamon Ryan from 2020 to 2024 and Roderic O\u2019Gorman until January 2025, is named in a return<\/a> filed between September and December 2025.<\/p>\n The return was filed on behalf of trade association Ireland Electrified, in which Conlan lobbied O\u2019Gorman over an electrification action plan.<\/p>\n Averil Power<\/p>\n Leah Farrell \/ RollingNews.ie \/ RollingNews.ie\n<\/p>\n Averil Power, a senator from 2011 to 2016 who was a member of Fianna F\u00e1il until 2015, is named in Irish Cancer Society approaches to former parliamentary party colleagues \u00c9amon \u00d3 Cu\u00edv and Michael McGrath in early 2023.<\/p>\n She is listed in an entry<\/a> concerning an email to \u00d3 Cu\u00edv on 27 January 2023 seeking information through a parliamentary question about hospital parking charges.<\/p>\n Another entry<\/a> says she met McGrath on 21 March 2023 about access to financial products after a cancer diagnosis.<\/p>\n Bob Hughes<\/p>\n Bob Hughes, who served as an adviser to independent TD Se\u00e1n Canney when the latter was a junior minister between 2019 and 2020, is listed in a return filed on behalf of Regional Newspapers and Printers Association of Ireland between May and August 2021.<\/p>\n The return<\/a> records a request for a meeting with regional independent TDs, including his former boss, and concerned public policy affecting local news publishers.<\/p>\n Brendan Griffin<\/p>\n Sam Boal \/ RollingNews.ie \/ RollingNews.ie\n<\/p>\n Brendan Griffin, a Fine Gael TD from 2011 to 2024 and junior tourism and sport minister from 2017 to 2020, was listed in a lobbying return<\/a> on behalf of communications firm Hanover that was filed between May and August 2025.<\/p>\n The former Kerry TD lobbied his former parliamentary party colleague Jerry Buttimer to introduce the Electric Vehicle Charging Alliance for Ireland and to discuss transport electrification.<\/p>\n Brian Cowen<\/p>\n Alamy Stock Photo\n<\/p>\n Former Taoiseach and Fianna F\u00e1il leader Brian Cowen is named in a return<\/a> as lobbying on behalf of technology company SuperNode in 2023.<\/p>\n It recorded a European Parliament meeting on 25 January 2023 with Fianna F\u00e1il MEPs Barry Andrews and Billy Kelleher, both of whom were junior ministers in Cowen\u2019s government between 2008 and 2011.<\/p>\n The lobbying sought support for offshore wind and electricity transmission technology, including the company\u2019s possible eligibility for the EU Innovation Fund.<\/p>\n Brian Hayes<\/p>\n RollingNews.ie\n<\/p>\n Brian Hayes, a former Fine Gael junior finance minister from 2011 to 2014 and MEP from 2014 to 2019, is named in<\/a> a Banking and Payments Federation Ireland return as lobbying Paschal Donohoe between May and August 2025.<\/p>\n Donohoe was a Fine Gael parliamentary colleague during Hayes\u2019 time in the Oireachtas, though their time in the Department of Finance did not overlap.<\/p>\n The lobbying concerned the use of building energy rating data in implementing the EU Energy Performance of Buildings Directive.<\/p>\n Brendan Tuohy<\/p>\n RollingNews.ie\n<\/p>\n Brendan Tuohy, who served as secretary general in the Department for Communications between 2000 and 2007, is named in a return<\/a> filed on behalf of the Local Link Network between September and December 2024.<\/p>\n He lobbied then-Green Party leader and transport minister Eamon Ryan about an Indecon report on the service.<\/p>\n Ryan had briefly been Tuohy\u2019s departmental minister in the Fianna F\u00e1il- Green Party government in 2007.<\/p>\n Caitr\u00edona Fitzpatrick<\/p>\n Caitr\u00edona Fitzpatrick, who worked as a special adviser to Simon Coveney until February 2019, is named in a filing<\/a> for Hume Brophy for lobbying on behalf of development company Swanhall LT between January and April 2020 that included her former boss, as well as a handful of other TDs and Meath County councillors.<\/p>\n The lobbying concerned housing policy, the programme for government and the Meath County Council development plan.<\/p>\n She was also listed in other returns as lobbying Coveney on behalf of the charity Shine<\/a> for its green ribbon mental health campaign between May and August 2023, and for the National Infertility Support and Information Group\u2019s<\/a> campaign on fertility treatment policy between September and December 2024.<\/p>\n Catherine Martin<\/p>\n Eamonn Farrell \/ RollingNews.ie \/ RollingNews.ie\n<\/p>\n Catherine Martin, a former Green Party deputy leader and Arts minister from 2020 to January 2025, was named in lobbying<\/a> of her former party and cabinet colleague Roderic O\u2019Gorman\u2019s office between May and August 2026.<\/p>\n She sought a parliamentary question on national cultural institutions for The Model arts centre.<\/p>\n Earlier this year, Martin was also listed as lobbying on behalf of Ivors Academy to Conor Falvey<\/a>, an assistant secretary in her department during her tenure as minister, and Martin Fraser<\/a>, who was government secretary general during her cabinet tenure.<\/p>\n In another return<\/a> from this summer, she lobbied Falvey on behalf of the Irish Writers Centre\u2019s chief executive asking for a meeting to support potential funding opportunities.<\/p>\n Catherine Noone<\/p>\n Alamy Stock Photo\n<\/p>\n Catherine Noone, a Fine Gael senator from 2011 to 2020, is named in a filing<\/a> on behalf of Atlantic Youth Trust covering the period between May and August 2022.<\/p>\n The return lists her as lobbying her former parliamentary party colleagues Simon Harris, Simon Coveney and Paschal Donohoe, among others.<\/p>\n The lobbying sought public funding and support for operating a youth development ship.<\/p>\n Cathy Herbert<\/p>\n Cathy Herbert, who served as an adviser to the late Fianna F\u00e1il minister Brian Lenihan before she left the government in 2011, is named in<\/a> an Irish Tax Institute return for 30 October 2024.<\/p>\n It records a pre-election tax submission from that date which set out proposals on domestic businesses, investment and tax policy for the next government.<\/p>\n The recipients of the submission include Alan Ahearne, who was a member of Lenihan\u2019s former advisory team at the same time<\/a> as Herbert.<\/p>\n Charlie Flanagan<\/p>\n Alamy Stock Photo\n<\/p>\n Charlie Flanagan, a Fine Gael TD until 2024 who served as minister for justice from 2017 to 2020, is named in a lobbying entry<\/a> filed on behalf of the Irish Red Cross between May and August 2025.<\/p>\n The lobbying saw Fine Gael\u2019s Jerry Buttimer \u2013 a former parliamentary colleague of Flanagan \u2013 approached about the operation of the CL\u00c1R programme and extending funding through it.<\/p>\n Christy O\u2019Sullivan<\/p>\n Christy O\u2019Sullivan, a Fianna F\u00e1il TD from 2007 to 2011, is named in<\/a> a CoAction West Cork return between January and April 2020.<\/p>\n The return says he lobbied his former party colleagues Miche\u00e1l Martin and Michael Moynihan on behalf of the disability service, which was seeking the reversal of an HSE funding cut, pay restoration for staff and funding for unmet and changing needs.<\/p>\n Ciara Conway<\/p>\n Sam Boal \/ Photocall Ireland \/ Photocall Ireland\n<\/p>\n Ciara Conway, a Labour TD from 2011 to 2016, is named in<\/a> a Baxter Healthcare Ireland return as lobbying her former parliamentary party colleague Ged Nash between May and August 2024.<\/p>\n The lobbying concerned the importance of the national outpatient parenteral antimicrobial therapy programme.<\/p>\n Clare Daly<\/p>\n \u00a9 RollingNews.ie\n<\/p>\n Clare Daly, an independent TD from 2011 to 2019 and MEP from 2019 to July 2024, is named in<\/a> a European Anti-Poverty Network Ireland return that lists her as lobbying Dean Mulligan between January and April 2025.<\/p>\n Mulligan was an Independents4Change councillor for Fingal during Daly\u2019s time in elected office, and the lobbying formed part of a campaign to add socioeconomic status as a protected ground in equality legislation.<\/p>\n Deirdre Grant<\/p>\n Deirdre Grant, who served as press adviser to Labour\u2019s former education minister Ruair\u00ed Quinn between 2011 and 2014, is named in<\/a> a return filed on behalf of Gilead Sciences between May and August 2024.<\/p>\n It says she lobbied Se\u00e1n Sherlock, another Labour TD who was a junior minister in the department of Education during Quinn\u2019s tenure, about opportunities and challenges facing the company in Ireland.<\/p>\n Dick Roche<\/p>\n Sasko Lazarov \/ RollingNews.ie \/ RollingNews.ie\n<\/p>\n Dick Roche, a former Fianna F\u00e1il minister who ended his tenure as a TD in 2011, is named in<\/a> a lobbying entry for Alliance Aviation Group through Skill Set Strategy and Technology Services filed between September and December 2022.<\/p>\n The return says he lobbied his former party colleagues Timmy Dooley and Marc MacSharry about difficulties facing the company following the opening of Dublin Airport\u2019s new north runway.<\/p>\n Dominic Hannigan<\/p>\n Eleanor Keegan \/ Photocall Ireland \/ Photocall Ireland\n<\/p>\n Dominic Hannigan, who served as a Labour senator between 2007 and 2011 and as a TD from 2011 to 2016, is named<\/a> in two separate<\/a> Coach Tourism and Transport Council of Ireland returns filed between May and August 2020.<\/p>\n The return says he lobbied TDs Michael McNamara and R\u00f3is\u00edn Shortall to seek support for the coach sector and highlighted the impact of the Covid-19 crisis.<\/p>\n All three were Labour colleagues before they left the party at different points.<\/p>\n Ed Brophy<\/p>\n Ed Brophy, who served as senior special adviser to Paschal Donohoe until June 2021, is named in<\/a> a lobbying return filed on behalf of Amazon between January and April 2025.<\/p>\n The entry says he lobbied Donohoe about Amazon\u2019s investments in Ireland and EU competitiveness policy.<\/p>\n Feargal Purcell<\/p>\n Feargal Purcell, who served as government press secretary to Taoisigh Enda Kenny and Leo Varadkar until 2018, is named<\/a> in a return filed for Edelman on behalf of Airbnb between May and August 2023.<\/p>\n It records an approach to Purcell\u2019s former boss Varadkar seeking to establish the latter\u2019s availability for a meeting with Airbnb\u2019s chief executive about the value of short-term letting to Irish tourism.<\/p>\n Ferghal Blaney<\/p>\n Ferghal Blaney, who became an adviser to Fianna F\u00e1il further education minister James Lawless in July 2024 before joining public affairs firm Rockwood in July 2025, is named in a return<\/a> concerning\u00a0Digital Business Ireland that was filed between September and December last year.<\/p>\n It names Blaney as lobbying Lawless and others in the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science about funding and supports for digital businesses.<\/p>\n Frances Fitzgerald<\/p>\n Alamy Stock Photo\n<\/p>\n Frances Fitzgerald, another former T\u00e1naiste and Fine Gael cabinet minister from 2011 to 2017, is named in a lobbying entry<\/a> about a meeting between Simon Harris and Coca-Cola executives.<\/p>\n The return, filed under the name of public relations firm Teneo on behalf of Coca-Cola company European Refreshments, records a meeting this summer about the company\u2019s contribution to Ireland, EU presidency priorities, tax reporting, research incentives and work permits.<\/p>\n Fitzgerald was listed as being involved in the lobbying, though another individual, Mike Miley, was named as primarily responsible for the lobbying.<\/p>\n The return does not establish whether Fitzgerald attended or helped arrange the meeting.<\/p>\n Frank Fahey<\/p>\n Mark Stedman \/ RollingNews.ie \/ RollingNews.ie\n<\/p>\n Frank Fahey, a former Fianna F\u00e1il minister and TD who left the D\u00e1il in 2011, is named alongside<\/a> Brian Cowen in the SuperNode return mentioned above that recorded a European Parliament meeting on 25 January 2023.<\/p>\n Like Cowen, Fahey lobbied his former Fianna F\u00e1il parliamentary colleagues Barry Andrews and Billy Kelleher.<\/p>\n Gerard Howlin<\/p>\n Gerard Howlin, who served as an adviser to Bertie Ahern during the 2000s, is named in<\/a> an MKC Communications return on behalf of the Irish Postmasters\u2019 Union that was filed between September and December 2024.<\/p>\n The return says Howlin was involved in lobbying Deirdre Gillane, who also served as a Fianna F\u00e1il government adviser in 2005 and is currently Miche\u00e1l Martin\u2019s Chief of Staff, and sought a party manifesto commitment to future funding for the post office network.<\/p>\n Grace McManus<\/p>\n Grace McManus, a Sinn F\u00e9in councillor in Wicklow from 2019 until 2023, is named in<\/a> an entry about National Youth Council of Ireland lobbying that included a meeting with her former party and constituency colleague John Brady\u2019s office on 3 July 2024.<\/p>\n The meeting was about youth work funding in Budget 2025.<\/p>\n Jackie Cahill<\/p>\n Leah Farrell \/ RollingNews.ie \/ RollingNews.ie\n<\/p>\n Jackie Cahill, a Fianna F\u00e1il TD from 2016 until November 2024, is named<\/a> in multiple returns<\/a> from Veterinary Ireland about lobbying between September and December 2025 and May and August 2026.<\/p>\n The returns say he lobbied his former parliamentary party colleagues Se\u00e1n \u00d3 Feargha\u00edl and Mark Daly about legislation on the ownership of veterinary practices and the practice of veterinary medicine.<\/p>\n Jerry O\u2019Connor<\/p>\n Jerry O\u2019Connor, a former press adviser to Taoiseach Miche\u00e1l Martin who also advised Katherine Zappone from 2016 to 2019, is named in<\/a> a Community Foundation Ireland return about lobbying Martin between September and December 2024.<\/p>\n The return says O\u2019Connor sought a renewed commitment to the national philanthropy policy in the next programme for government.<\/p>\n Jim Daly<\/p>\n Sam Boal \/ RollingNews.ie \/ RollingNews.ie\n<\/p>\n Jim Daly, a Fine Gael junior health minister from 2017 to 2020, is named in<\/a> a Rethink Ireland return that records an approach to Simon Harris between January and April 2022 about a proposed competence centre for social innovation.<\/p>\n Harris was the senior health minister during Daly\u2019s time in the department.<\/p>\n Separate returns filed on behalf of Home and Community Care Ireland from September to December 2021 list former party and government colleagues Frances Fitzgerald<\/a> and Leo Varadkar<\/a> being lobbied by Daly about home care conference and workforce issues respectively.<\/p>\n Jim Glennon<\/p>\n Jim Glennon, a Fianna F\u00e1il TD from 2002 to 2007, is named<\/a> in multiple entries<\/a> about lobbying by Dogs Trust, including through public relations company Edelman, between January and April 2024.<\/p>\n The returns say Glennon lobbied his former parliamentary party colleague Brendan Smith (as well as every other TD in the D\u00e1il) about an Oireachtas briefing on dog breeding establishments, shock collars, microchipping and breed-specific legislation.<\/p>\n Joe O\u2019Brien<\/p>\n Leah Farrell \/ RollingNews.ie \/ RollingNews.ie\n<\/p>\n Joe O\u2019Brien, a Green Party junior minister from 2020 to January 2025, is named<\/a> in two returns<\/a> filed on behalf of the Irish Council for Civil Liberties last year.<\/p>\n They record emails to O\u2019Brien\u2019s former government colleagues in Fine Gael: Jennifer Carroll MacNeill, who was lobbied in June 2025; and Simon Harris, who was lobbied in September and October that year.<\/p>\n The approaches concerned the Human Tissue Act and Palestinian human rights respectively.<\/p>\n Katherine Zappone<\/p>\n Justin Farrelly \/ RollingNews.ie \/ RollingNews.ie\n<\/p>\n Katherine Zappone, an former independent TD who was children\u2019s minister from 2016 to June 2020, is named<\/a> in two returns<\/a> by the LGBT Support and Advocacy Network Ireland and BeLonG To filed between September and December 2024.<\/p>\n Both returns state that Zappone was involved in lobbying Simon Harris, who was her cabinet colleague while she was a minister, and related to an event marking the anniversary of the marriage equality referendum.<\/p>\n Kathryn Reilly<\/p>\n Mark Stedman \/ Photocall Ireland \/ Photocall Ireland\n<\/p>\n Kathryn Reilly, a Sinn F\u00e9in senator from 2011 to 2016, is named<\/a> in an Irish Heart Foundation return listing her lobbying of current party TD David Cullinane between September and December 2023.<\/p>\n Cullinane had been Reilly\u2019s Sinn F\u00e9in colleague in the Seanad, and the lobbying by Reilly sought parliamentary questions about evaluating the sugar-sweetened drinks tax and provided information on sugar-related taxation.<\/p>\n Kevin Donoghue<\/p>\n Sam Boal \/ RollingNews.ie \/ RollingNews.ie\n<\/p>\n Kevin Donoghue, a Labour councillor in Dublin from 2019 to 2024, is named<\/a> in two separate<\/a>\u00a0public service union F\u00f3rsa returns listing party colleague Marie Sherlock as being lobbied between January and April 2025.<\/p>\n Sherlock, who is now a Labour TD, served on Dublin City Council with Donoghue until she became a senator in 2020.<\/p>\n The lobbying concerned healthcare funding and staffing, and approaches over the HSE perfusionists\u2019 dispute.<\/p>\n Kevin Smyth<\/p>\n Kevin Smyth, who was the Department of Agriculture\u2019s chief financial officer before retiring in 2022, is named<\/a> in a Horse Sport Ireland return filed between May and August 2023.<\/p>\n It lists him as lobbying Fianna F\u00e1il TD and former agriculture minister Charlie McConalogue and secretary general Brendan Gleeson, who served while Smyth was in the department.<\/p>\n The lobbying concerned Horse Sport Ireland\u2019s pre-budget submission.<\/p>\n Liam Cullen<\/p>\n Liam Cullen, a special adviser to Fianna F\u00e1il\u2019s Barry Andrews during the 2008 to 2011 government, is named in<\/a> a return for pharma company Janssen Sciences Ireland about a meeting with his former boss between September and December 2025.<\/p>\n Andrews was by then working as an MEP, and the meeting concerned third-party litigation funding.<\/p>\n Lisa Chambers<\/p>\n Leah Farrell \/ RollingNews.ie \/ RollingNews.ie\n<\/p>\n Lisa Chambers, a Fianna F\u00e1il TD from 2016 to 2020 and then a senator from 2020 to 2025, is named<\/a> in a return filed for advisory firm Consello on behalf of Analog Devices between September and December 2025.<\/p>\n The return records phone calls concerning the Finance Bill and lists Jack Chambers, a former parliamentary party colleague of Chambers, alongside government chief of staff Deirdre Gillane.<\/p>\n Lucinda Creighton<\/p>\n RollingNews.ie\n<\/p>\n Lucinda Creighton, a Fine Gael junior minister for European affairs from 2011 to 2013 and a TD until 2016, is named in<\/a> a Horse Sport Ireland return that was filed between September and December 2020.<\/p>\n The return lists her as lobbying Simon Coveney, who was a party and government colleague when Creighton was in Fine Gael, with the lobbying concerning the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on the horse and equestrian industry.<\/p>\n Marc MacSharry<\/p>\n Leah Farrell \/ RollingNews.ie \/ RollingNews.ie\n<\/p>\n Former Fianna F\u00e1il TD Marc MacSharry is named in a Pontis Advisory return<\/a> concerning a request for assistance with family reunification.<\/p>\n The lobbying, carried out for Blue Rock Limited, sought help for an employee or manager who wanted to be reunited with his wife from abroad.<\/p>\n The officials listed include MacSharry\u2019s former Fianna F\u00e1il parliamentary colleague and current Justice Minister Jim O\u2019Callaghan.<\/p>\n In another entry filed on behalf of Pontis Advisory, MacSharry is listed as lobbying<\/a> his former party leader Miche\u00e1l Martin between May and August 2025 on zoning issues for Beldare Homes.<\/p>\n Mary Coughlan<\/p>\n RollingNews.ie\n<\/p>\n Mary Coughlan, a Fianna F\u00e1il cabinet minister from 2002 to 2011 and T\u00e1naiste from 2008 to 2011, is named in two returns as lobbying on behalf of the Local Link Network bus service, one from January to April 2023<\/a> and again in September to December 2024<\/a>.<\/p>\n In both cases she lobbied then Transport Minister Eamon Ryan, who was her cabinet colleague in the Fianna F\u00e1il-Green Party coalition from 2007 to 2011.<\/p>\n The lobbying concerned the future of Local Link transport coordination units and progressing an Indecon report.<\/p>\n Mary Mitchell O\u2019Connor<\/p>\n RollingNews.ie\n<\/p>\n Mary Mitchell O\u2019Connor, a Fine Gael minister and junior minister from 2016 to 2020, is named in a return as lobbying<\/a> for City Colleges Education between May and August 2022.<\/p>\n The return names Mitchell O\u2019Connor\u2019s former party and government colleague Charlie Flanagan as being lobbied, and says it concerned the garda vetting process and how a school or college can be added to the list of organisations able to vet students.<\/p>\n Matthew Lynch<\/p>\n Matthew Lynch, who previously served as a special adviser to Simon Harris<\/a> as Taoiseach in the last government, contacted his former boss on behalf of Facebook and Instagram owner Meta between 1 May and 31 August.<\/p>\n The filing on the Lobbying Register<\/a> states that Lynch emailed the minister for finance to update him on the steps \u201cMeta is taking to address fraud and scams\u201d.<\/p>\n An earlier return from September to December 2025 also named Lynch in lobbying that included Peter Burke, a minister in the government in which he had worked for Harris, seeking Irish support for simplifying EU digital regulation.<\/p>\n Martin Mackin<\/p>\n Martin Mackin, a former Fianna F\u00e1il general secretary who served in the Seanad until 2002, is named in<\/a> a Merchants Quay Ireland return listing Taoiseach Miche\u00e1l Martin between May and August 2023.<\/p>\n Martin had been a Fianna F\u00e1il parliamentary colleague, and the lobbying \u2013 which involved dozens of TDs and senators \u2013 concerned proposals on drug treatment, homelessness, mental health and related issues.<\/p>\n Michael D\u2019Arcy<\/p>\n RollingNews.ie\n<\/p>\n Michael D\u2019Arcy, a Fine Gael junior finance minister from 2017 to 2020 who subsequently served in the Seanad until September 2020, is named<\/a> in an Irish Association of Investment Managers return listing from between May and August 2025.<\/p>\n The return says D\u2019Arcy lobbied then-finance minister Paschal Donohoe, who was the senior minister in his department when D\u2019Arcy was junior minister.<\/p>\n The lobbying concerned the establishment of a United Nations Development Programme global project office for sustainable finance in Ireland.<\/p>\n Michael McCarthy<\/p>\n Leah Farrell \/ RollingNews.ie \/ RollingNews.ie\n<\/p>\n Michael McCarthy, a Labour senator from 2002 to 2011 and a TD from 2011 to 2016, is named in<\/a> a business group Ibec return listing former party colleagues between September and December 2024.<\/p>\n The lobbying involved contacts with current Labour TDs Alan Kelly and Ged Nash regarding the sharing of a Cloud Infrastructure Ireland report on offshore wind.<\/p>\n Niamh Allen<\/p>\n Niamh Allen, who served as a Green Party adviser in September 2024 before moving to Focus Ireland by summer 2025, is listed in a return as meeting<\/a> John McDonald on 17 June 2025 about the government\u2019s new housing and homelessness plan.<\/p>\n McDonald was Allen\u2019s fellow adviser in Eamon Ryan\u2019s government team, though he now works for Fianna F\u00e1il housing minister James Browne.<\/p>\n A further Focus Ireland return<\/a> records Allen contacting McDonald on 9 June 2026 about concerns over the Housing and Residential Tenancies Bill.<\/p>\n Noel Rock<\/p>\n Alamy Stock Photo\n<\/p>\n Noel Rock, a Fine Gael TD from 2016 to 2020, is named in Irish Venture Capital Association and Scale Ireland returns listing former party colleagues between September and December 2020.<\/p>\n The returns say Rock lobbied Richard Bruton<\/a> and Leo Varadkar<\/a>, who were ministers while Rock was a TD about Budget 2021, a proposed taskforce and changes to the Employment and Investment Incentive Scheme.<\/p>\n Another lobbying entry<\/a> says Rock lobbied two other Fine Gael TDs, Simon Coveney and Bernard Durkan, between September and December 2023 on healthcare policy and access to innovation.<\/p>\n Olwyn Enright<\/p>\n Eamonn Farrell \/ Photocall Ireland \/ Photocall Ireland\n<\/p>\n Olwyn Enright, a Fine Gael TD from 2002 to 2011, is named<\/a> in two Samaritans Ireland entries that say<\/a>\u00a0she lobbied her former parliamentary colleague Richard Bruton between September and December 2023.<\/p>\n The lobbying concerned the charity\u2019s impact report launch, and involved dozens of TDs and senators.<\/p>\n A DHR Consultancy return for the charity<\/a> between May and August 2026 also saod Enright lobbied Jerry Buttimer, who had been a Fine Gael senator during her D\u00e1il tenure, in lobbying promoting a national loneliness strategy and training on responsible language around suicide and self-harm.<\/p>\n That lobbying also involved dozens of TDs and senators.<\/p>\n Paul Bradford<\/p>\n Leon Farrell \/ Photocall Ireland \/ Photocall Ireland\n<\/p>\n Paul Bradford, a former Fine Gael TD and senator until he joined Renua in 2016, is named in a return<\/a> by Vulcan Consulting \u2013 whose CEO is former Renua and Fine Gael TD Lucinda Creighton \u2013 for Forest Industries Ireland between January and April 2023.<\/p>\n The entry says Bradford lobbied Richard Bruton, a former Fine Gael colleague, about forestry policy and programmes.<\/p>\n Paul Fox<\/p>\n Paul Fox, who was a special adviser to Helen McEntee in the Department of Foreign Affairs until 2020, is named<\/a> in multiple returns<\/a> listing his former boss between January and April 2024.<\/p>\n The returns were filed by Pinnacle Public Affairs and concerned the online delivery platform Deliveroo; they sought to set out Pinnacle\u2019s position on the EU Platform Work Directive.<\/p>\n A further Pinnacle return<\/a> for the Dental Health Foundation, filed between May and August 2025, listed McEntee as being lobbied for oral health prevention funding in Budget 2026.<\/p>\n Paul Gavan<\/p>\n Leah Farrell \/ RollingNews.ie \/ RollingNews.ie\n<\/p>\n Paul Gavan, a Sinn F\u00e9in senator from 2016 until 2025, is named in a lobbying entry<\/a> for the Irish Congress of Trade Unions between May and August 2025.<\/p>\n The return concerned the Raise the Roof housing campaign and rallies, and saw\u00a0Gavan lobby former party colleagues Thomas Gould and Eoin \u00d3 Broin.<\/p>\n Pauline O\u2019Reilly<\/p>\n Leon Farrell \/ RollingNews.ie \/ RollingNews.ie\n<\/p>\n Pauline O\u2019Reilly, a Green Party senator from 2020 to 2025, is named<\/a> in two separate<\/a> Irish District Energy Association returns regarding meetings with former party colleague Roderic O\u2019Gorman on 1 July and 25 September 2025.<\/p>\n The first entry related to the National Development Plan and climate and energy funding, while the second entry said the group provided an update on district heating policy.<\/p>\n Philip Carroll<\/p>\n Philip Carroll, who worked as an assistant secretary in the Department of Agriculture in 2014 before moving to the private sector, is named<\/a> in two separate<\/a> Ibec returns listing the department\u2019s\u00a0Chief Veterinary Officer Martin Blake between January and August 2023.<\/p>\n The two had worked in the department at the same time<\/a>, and the lobbying concerned overseas market access for meat, including beef, sheepmeat, pork and poultry.<\/p>\n Richard Bruton<\/p>\n Alamy Stock Photo\n<\/p>\n Richard Bruton, a former Fine Gael minister and TD who left the D\u00e1il in November 2024, is named in<\/a> a Social Enterprise Republic of Ireland (SERI) return as lobbying some of his former party colleagues.<\/p>\n The entry lists Bruton as lobbying Fine Gael TDs Simon Harris, Jerry Buttimer and Frank Feighan between May and August 2026.<\/p>\n The lobbying concerned SERI\u2019s pre-budget proposals, a social enterprise \u201cnew deal\u201d and support through public procurement, in which the grouped return recorded different forms of contact rather than attributing each approach to Bruton personally.<\/p>\n Ross Mac Math\u00fana<\/p>\n Ross Mac Math\u00fana, who worked as a special adviser to agriculture minister Simon Coveney between January 2012 and August 2014, is named in<\/a> a GSK return as lobbying his former boss between May and August 2024.<\/p>\n The lobbying concerned adult vaccination, and Coveney was among a wider list of recipients that included dozens of TDs and senators.<\/p>\n Sarah Meade<\/p>\n Sarah Meade, who was an assistant government press secretary from 2017 and later an adviser to Leo Varadkar until 2020, is named in<\/a> a 150Bond return for Dott as lobbying the then Taoiseach between September and December 2021.<\/p>\n The lobbying concerned legislation to regulate e-scooters under the Road Traffic and Roads Bill, and involved multiple recipients in the D\u00e1il and Dublin City Council.<\/p>\n Sheila Buckley Byrne<\/p>\n Sheila Buckley Byrne, an Athlone town councillor until town councils were abolished in 2014, is named in an entry<\/a> as responsible for St Hilda\u2019s Services lobbying involving Kevin \u201cBoxer\u201d Moran and Gabrielle McFadden between January and April 2020.<\/p>\n Both had served alongside her on the town council, and the phone calls that made up the lobbying sought the reversal of a 1% funding cut to the disability service.<\/p>\n Simon Coveney<\/p>\n Alamy Stock Photo\n<\/p>\n Simon Coveney, a former T\u00e1naiste and a Fine Gael minister in multiple departments from 2011 to April 2024, is named in a return<\/a> as lobbying about the development of Bremore port, a proposed new deepwater Irish Sea port based near Balbriggan in Dublin.<\/p>\n He lobbied current Minister for Finance and his former cabinet colleague Simon Harris on behalf of Waterfront Advisory in August this year.<\/p>\n Stephen Donnelly<\/p>\n Alamy Stock Photo\n<\/p>\n Former Fianna F\u00e1il TD Stephen Donnelly, who served as health minister from 2020 to January 2025, is listed in an entry<\/a> as being involved in lobbying by National Lottery operator Premier Lotteries Ireland earlier this year.<\/p>\n The return concerns policy and regulatory developments directly affecting the National Lottery and lists Frank Feighan and Suzanne Coogan as the officials lobbied.<\/p>\n Feighan previously served as a junior minister in the Department of Health while Donnelly was minister.<\/p>\n The entry states that another person, Jennifer Crowe, was primarily responsible for the lobbying, and Donnelly\u2019s inclusion does not establish which contacts he made.<\/p>\n Stephen Lynam<\/p>\n Stephen Lynam, was a special adviser to Paschal Donohoe until March 2018, is named in<\/a> a Merchants Quay Ireland return listing his former boss between May and August 2023.<\/p>\n The lobbying concerned drug treatment, homelessness, mental health and related proposals, and involved dozens of TDs and senators.<\/p>\n Tom Kitt<\/p>\n Mark Stedman \/ RollingNews.ie \/ RollingNews.ie\n<\/p>\n Tom Kitt, a Fianna F\u00e1il TD from 1987 to 2011 and former junior minister and government chief whip, is named <\/a>in a Glencree Centre for Peace and Reconciliation return listing Taoiseach Miche\u00e1l Martin as being lobbied between January and April 2021.<\/p>\n Martin was a party and government colleague before Kitt left office in 2011, and the lobbying concerned the Department of Foreign Affairs\u2019 continuing peacebuilding work in Haiti.<\/p>\n Tom Neville<\/p>\n Tom Neville, a Fine Gael TD from 2016 to 2020, is named in an entry filed on behalf of Neville International between May and December 2020.<\/p>\n The lobbying was undertaken on behalf of the Renewable Gas Forum about biomethane and cutting emissions,\u00a0and involved Neville\u2019s former parliamentary colleagues Martin Heydon<\/a> and Leo Varadkar<\/a>.<\/p>\n![\"alan-farrell-td-calls-for-enda-kenny-to-step-down-end\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/1790397131_133_.jpeg\")
\n Alan Farrell in 2012 Laura Hutton \/ RollingNews.ie<\/p>\n![\"9822](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/1790397132_2_.jpeg\")
\n Chief Executive of the Irish Cancer Society Averil Power Leah Farrell \/ RollingNews.ie<\/p>\n![\"005](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/1790397132_571_.jpeg\")
\n Former Fine Gael TD Brendan Griffin Sam Boal \/ RollingNews.ie<\/p>\n![\"jan-22-2011-dublin-irl-irish-prime-minister-brian-cowen-speaks-to-the-media-after-announced-that-he-was-resigning-as-fianna-fail-leader-in-dublin-ireland-saturday-jan-22-2011-cowen-announ\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/1790397133_51_.jpeg\")
\n Brian Cowen as Taoiseach in 2011 Alamy Stock Photo<\/p>\n![\"023](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/1790397134_325_.jpeg\")
\n Brian Hayes former Fine Gael MEP and CEO of Banking and Payments Federation Ireland RollingNews.ie<\/p>\n![\"90268531_90268531_90268531\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/1790397134_751_.jpeg\")
\n Former secretary general in the Department for Communications Brendan Tuohy RollingNews.ie<\/p>\n![\"RTE](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/1790397135_485_.jpeg\")
\n Former Green Party deputy leader Catherine Martin Eamonn Farrell \/ RollingNews.ie<\/p>\n![\"senator-catherine-noone-former-deputy-leader-of-the-irish-senate-speaks-on-the-international-day-for-the-elimination-of-violence-against-women-drawing-parallels-between-irelands-history-of-religio\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/1790397135_261_.jpeg\")
\n Catherine Noone was formerly a senator for Fine Gael Alamy Stock Photo<\/p>\n![\"fine-gael-charlie-flanagan-t-d-leaving-government-building-in-dublin-after-a-brexit-emergency-meeting-of-irish-cabinet-ministers\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/1790397136_579_.jpeg\")
\n Former justice minister Charlie Flanagan Alamy Stock Photo<\/p>\n![\"labour-leadership-contests\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/1790397136_493_.jpeg\")
\n Former Labour TD Ciara Conway in 2014 Sam Boal \/ Photocall Ireland<\/p>\n![\"CLARE](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/1790397137_721_.jpeg\")
\n Clare Daly in 2024 \u00a9 RollingNews.ie<\/p>\n![\"90162079_90162079\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/1790397137_515_.jpeg\")
\n Dick Roche pictured in 2009 Sasko Lazarov \/ RollingNews.ie<\/p>\n![\"90196718_90196718\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/1790397138_912_.jpeg\")
\n Then-senator Dominic Hannigan pictured in 2010 Eleanor Keegan \/ Photocall Ireland<\/p>\n![\"frances-fitzgerald-member-of-the-european-parliament-chairing-a-meeting-on-the-cost-of-living-at-the-technological-university-of-the-shannon-in-athlone-co-westmeath-for-the-fine-gael-ard-fheis-pi\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/1790397139_738_.jpeg\")
\n Frances Fitzgerald pictured as a Member of the European Parliament in 2022 Alamy Stock Photo<\/p>\n![\"90089584_90089584\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/1790397139_427_.jpeg\")
\n Former Fianna F\u00e1il TD Frank Fahey in 2007 Mark Stedman \/ RollingNews.ie<\/p>\n![\"90411143_90411143\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/1790397140_588_.jpeg\")
\n Jackie Cahill arrives at Leinster House on his first day as a TD in 2016 Leah Farrell \/ RollingNews.ie<\/p>\n![\"007](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/1790397140_135_.jpeg\")
\n Former Fine Gael minister of state Jim Daly in 2018 Sam Boal \/ RollingNews.ie<\/p>\n![\"0255](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/1790397141_636_.jpeg\")
\n Former Green Party junior minister Joe O’Brien Leah Farrell \/ RollingNews.ie<\/p>\n![\"Seanad](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/1790397142_527_.jpeg\")
\n Katherine Zappone at the Seanad election count in 2025 Justin Farrelly \/ RollingNews.ie<\/p>\n![\"campaigns-for-the-fiscal-stability-treaties\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/1790397142_768_.jpeg\")
\n Former Sinn F\u00e9in senator Kathryn Reilly pictured with Gerry Adams in 2012 Mark Stedman \/ Photocall Ireland<\/p>\n![\"itf](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/1790397143_245_.jpeg\")
\n Kevin Donoghue of Forsa at a press conference in 2018 Sam Boal \/ RollingNews.ie<\/p>\n![\"004](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/1790397143_181_.jpeg\")
\n Fianna F\u00e1il’s Lisa Chambers in 2020 Leah Farrell \/ RollingNews.ie<\/p>\n![\"90391621_90391621\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/1790397144_293_.jpeg\")
\n Lucinda Creighton pictured on the plinth of Leinster House in 2015 RollingNews.ie<\/p>\n![\"4057](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/1790397144_711_.jpeg\")
\n Former Fianna F\u00e1il TD Marc MacSharry in 2020 Leah Farrell \/ RollingNews.ie<\/p>\n![\"90211672_90211672\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/1790397145_173_.jpeg\")
\n Former t\u00e1naiste Mary Coughlan beside Brian Cowen in 2011 RollingNews.ie<\/p>\n![\"002](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/1790397146_418_.jpeg\")
\n Mary Mitchell O’Connor pictured in 2019 RollingNews.ie<\/p>\n![\"michael-darcy-5-2\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/1790397146_774_.jpeg\")
\n Former Fine Gael junior minister Michael D’Arcy RollingNews.ie<\/p>\n![\"90403305_90403305\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/1790397147_961_.jpeg\")
\n Former Labour Party senator Michael McCarthy in 2015 Leah Farrell \/ RollingNews.ie<\/p>\n![\"fine-gael-candidate-for-dublin-north-west-noel-rock-arrives-for-the-launch-of-the-dublin-city-taskforce-report-at-the-general-post-office-dublin-picture-date-monday-october-21-2024\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/1790397147_811_.jpeg\")
\n Noel Rock pictured in 2024 Alamy Stock Photo<\/p>\n![\"90119921_90119921\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/1790397148_458_.jpeg\")
\n Olwyn Enright in 2008 Eamonn Farrell \/ Photocall Ireland<\/p>\n![\"paul-bradford-new-fine-gael-senators-2002\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/1790397148_203_.jpeg\")
\n Former Fine Gael senator Paul Bradford pictured in 2002 Leon Farrell \/ Photocall Ireland<\/p>\n![\"0925](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/1790397149_501_.jpeg\")
\n Former Sinn F\u00e9in senator Paul Gavan in 2017 Leah Farrell \/ RollingNews.ie<\/p>\n![\"Green](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/1790397149_156_.jpeg\")
\n Pauline O’Reilly, who was a Green Party senator until 2025 Leon Farrell \/ RollingNews.ie<\/p>\n![\"irish-environment-minister-richard-bruton-announces-a-new-climate-change-initiative-by-the-irish-government-at-the-fine-gael-ard-fheis-in-dublin\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/1790397150_447_.jpeg\")
\n Former environment minister Richard Bruton Alamy Stock Photo<\/p>\n![\"limerick-city-ireland-15th-september-2023-minister-for-enterprise-trade-and-employment-of-ireland-simon-coveney-greeted-by-ifa-protestors-outside-of-strand-hotel-in-limerick-on-the-first-day-of-f\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/1790397151_919_.jpeg\")
\n Former T\u00e1naiste Simon Coveney in 2023 Alamy Stock Photo<\/p>\n![\"stephen-donnelly-minister-for-health-speaks-to-the-media-outside-government-buildings-in-dublin-before-the-cabinet-meeting-on-tuesday-30-march-2021-in-dublin-ireland-photo-by-artur-widaknurp\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/1790397151_815_.jpeg\")
\n Stephen Donnelly outside Government Buildings in 2021 Alamy Stock Photo<\/p>\n![\"90211047_90211047\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/1790397152_436_.jpeg\")
\n Then-Fianna F\u00e1il TD Tom Kitt in 2011 Mark Stedman \/ RollingNews.ie<\/p>\n
![\"90390705_90390705\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/1790397152_510_.jpeg\")