Independent Broadcasters of Ireland

Lobbying Organisation Independent Broadcasters of Ireland

Date published 13 May, 2024

Relevant Matter Public policy or programme

Public Policy Area Arts

Period 1 Jan, 2024 to 30 Apr, 2024

Specific Details Introduction of myself as new CEO and request with Minister. Lobbying also took place to seek changes to Gambling Regulation legislation. This legislation had potential to stop charity fundraising bingo games from being adevertised during the day on radio.

Intended results To secure meetings or to put forward our organisation's view on the need for state funding or policies which would aid the independent radio sector and to seek changes to gambling legislation where it would restrict charitable fundraising via radio stations

Name of person primarily responsible for lobbying on this activity Michael Kelly, John Purcell

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? Radio stations were requested contact their local TDs or Senators to bring to their attention the potential of the Gambling Regulation Bill which would have stopped charitable fundraising via radio bingo competitions and the consequences of that and to request changes to facilitate charitable fundraising during times periods when radio has significant levels of listeners.

Was this lobbying done on behalf of a client? No

Lobbying activity

The following activities occurred for this specific Subject Matter Area.

Phone call (2-5)

Calls made to Ms Helen Francis, Private Secretary to Minister Catherine Martin seeking to make contact and to introduce Michael Kelly as new CEO and so seek to progress request for meeting with Minister.

Phone call (2-5)

Calls made seeking to contact Alanna Phibbs, Private Office of Minister Catherine Martin.

Social Media (2-5)

Contact on social media messaging to Helen Francis Private Secretary of Minister Catherine Martin seeking to discuss a meeting with the Minister

Social Media (1)

Contact with Special Advisor to Minister Catherine Martin, seeking to introduce Michael Kelly and to arrange to meet Special Advisor

Meeting (1)

Meeting with Ronan O Domhnaill, Commissioner, Coimisiun na Mean to introduce Michael Kelly as CEO of Independent Broadcasters of Ireland and provide perspective to Mr O Domhnaill on issues facing independent radio sector include concerns about Journalism Schemes.

Email (2-5)

Email to Kenneth Maher, Department of Justice re Gambling legislation. Intention of this contact was to seek a meeting to discuss the Gambling Regulation Bill and our organisation's concerns about its potential consequence of preventing charitable fundraising.

Letter (1)

Letter to An Taoiseach Simon Harris congratulating him on his election as Taoiseach and introducing Michael Kelly as new CEO of Independent Broadcasters of Ireland, offering further information as needed and setting out key issues as organisations sees them

Phone call (1)

Telephone call to Roderic O'Gorman TD, asking to see if a meeting with his colleague Catherine Martin, Minister for Media could be facilitated.

Social Media (1)

Message via social media to Minister Eamon Ryan introducing Michael Kelly as new CEO of Independent Broadcasters of Ireland.

Phone call (2-5)

Telephone calls to offices of Catherine Murphy T.D., Pa Daly T.D. and Brendan Griffin T.D. asking that changes be considered to Gambling Regulation Bill. The bill had potential to prevent advertising of charitable fundraising endeav ours.

Letter (1)

Letter to Minister Patrick O'Donovan congratulating him on his appointment as Minister and offering any information needed and providing information on concerns and priorities of independent broadcasters.

Informal communication (1)

Minister Stephen Donnelly TD. IBI Chair was sitting beside Minister at an event and briefed him on organisation's priorities.

Letter (1)

Letter issued to Minister Peter Burke congratulating him on his appointment as Minister and offering information and setting out our organisation's priorities.

Social Media (1)

Message to Cian O Lionan introducing Michael Kelly as new CEO of Independent Broadcasters of Ireland.

Social Media (1)

Message to Sara Morris, Head of Communications, Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sports and Media to introduce Michael Kelly as CEO of Independent Broadcasters of Ireland and to make contact if needed in future. M Kelly outlined key issues facing organisation.

Letter (1)

Letter to Malcolm Noonan T.D. in relation to Independent Broadcasters of Ireland campaign to highlight crisis in news and current affairs and need for state support because of challenge of election coverage.

Letter (1)

Letter to Deputy Lawless to brief him on issues relation to the Gambling Regulation Act.

Informal communication (1)

Brief discussion outside Oireachtas Committee meeting.

Meeting (1)

Briefing provided to Mary Lou McDonald and Kathleen Funchion on a visit to an member radio station where information was provided on organisation's priorities' and concerns.

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.

Catherine Martin Minister (Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media)

Meghan McSweeney Special Adviser (Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media)

Simon Harris An Taoiseach (Department of the Taoiseach)

Roderic O'Gorman TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Eamon Ryan TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Pa Daly TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Catherine Murphy TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Brendan Griffin TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Patrick O'Donovan TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Stephen Donnelly TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Cian Ó Lionáin Assistant Secretary (Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media)

Malcolm Noonan TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

James Lawless TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Mary Lou McDonald TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Kathleen Funchion TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)