Sustainable Water Network (SWAN)

Lobbying Organisation Sustainable Water Network (SWAN)

Date published 21 May, 2024

Relevant Matter Legislation

Public Policy Area Heritage

Period 1 Jan, 2024 to 30 Apr, 2024

Specific Details Marine Protected Areas Bill

Intended results Urgent and stronger MPA legislation. Ambitious and binding targets committing Ireland to effectively protect 30% of its seas as MPAs by 2030, including a target of 10% “strictly” protected. A robust management framework which clearly defines: What will be protected; How it will be protected, and; Which government agencies are responsible for implementation and management. Community engagement at every stage of the MPA designation and management process, based on transparency, inclusiveness, and fairness among local, regional, and national stakeholders.

Name of person primarily responsible for lobbying on this activity Antoin Mc Dermott and Emma Armshaw

Did any Designated Public Official(DPO) or former Designated Public Official(DPO) carry out lobbying activities on your behalf in relation to this return? You must include yourself, and answer Yes, if you are a current DPO or a DPO at any time in the past. (What is a Designated Public Official?) No

Did you manage or direct a grassroots campaign? Yes

What is the directive you gave to the grassroots campaigners? The petition was managed by Fair Seas Ireland of which SWAN is a partner. SWAN asked people on social media and by email to support the campaign.

Was this lobbying done on behalf of a client? No

Lobbying activity

The following activities occurred for this specific Subject Matter Area.

Social Media (11-20)

Social media that encouraged people to sign a Fair Seas petition addressed to the Minister Darragh O'Brien and Minister Malcolm Noonan. This petition was managed by Fair Seas Ireland of which SWAN is a partner.

Informal communication (6-10)

At Labour Party and Green Party Conventions

Designated public officials lobbied

The following DPOs were lobbied during this return period on this specific Subject Matter Area. These DPOs were involved in at least one of the Lobbying Activities listed above, but not necessarily all of them. As returns are specific to a Subject Matter Area the above Lobbying Activities may be associated with multiple returns.

Darragh O'Brien Minister (Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage)

Malcolm Noonan Minister of State (Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage)

Eamon Ryan Minister (Department of Environment, Climate and Communications)

Pauline O'Reilly Senator (Seanad)

Steven Matthews TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Carolyn Moore Councillor (Dublin City Council)

Ian Carey Councillor (Fingal County Council)

Ivana Bacik TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Rebecca Moynihan Senator (Seanad)

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Elaine McGinty Councillor (Meath County Council)

Micheál Martin Tánaiste and Minister (Department of the Taoiseach)

Simon Harris An Taoiseach (Department of the Taoiseach)