Independent Broadcasters of Ireland

Lobbying Organisation Independent Broadcasters of Ireland

Date published 16 Sep, 2024

Relevant Matter Legislation

Public Policy Area Justice and Equality

Period 1 May, 2024 to 31 Aug, 2024

Specific Details This lobbying was to seek changes to Gambling Regulation legislation. This legislation had potential to stop charity fundraising bingo games from being advertised during the day on radio and to hamper the games being run in aid of charitable causes.

Intended results The intended results were to seek amendments to legislation so there were changes to the prize amounts set out which would restrict independent stations from running radio-bingo games in support of charitable causes and also an adjustment to the proposed watershed time which would not allow advertising during the day even though that is the key prime time for radio. The changes were to address what appear to be unintended consequences of the legislation proposed.

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

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? No

Was this lobbying done on behalf of a client? No

Lobbying activity

The following activities occurred for this specific Subject Matter Area.

Email (2-5)

Email to Minister of State's office setting out our concerns and amendments proposed re Gambling Regulation Bill and seeking meeting.

Email (1)

Email to Minister James Browne, Department of Justice, seeking meeting with him and providing him with information on measures which could be taken to address negative consequences of Gambling Regulation Bill for Radio Bingo games in aid of charitable causes and independent radio.

Email (1)

Request to Deputy Brendan Griffin to assist in supporting our proposed changes to address what we believe are unintended consequences of Gambling Regulation Bill which could prevent stations running radio bingo games for charitable organisations and which would unfairly restrict advertising to after 9pm even though our prime time in radio is during the day. Also request made to Deputy to assist us via parliamentary question in finding out if amendments had been made.

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.

James Browne Minister of State (Department of Justice)

Brendan Griffin TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)