Mediahuis Ireland Group Limited

Lobbying Organisation Mediahuis Ireland Group Limited

Date published 21 May, 2025

Relevant Matter Public policy or programme

Public Policy Area Economic Development and Industry

Period 1 Jan, 2025 to 30 Apr, 2025

Specific Details To raise awareness of the importance of independent media in Ireland and urge Government support to address industry challenges

Intended results Highlight industry challenges and propose policy measures to address them

Name of person primarily responsible for lobbying on this activity Fergus Foody

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?) Yes

Current or Former Designated Public Official(s)

Martin Mackin (Former DPO) Senator (Seanad)

Stephen Lynam (Former DPO) Special Advisor (Department of Finance)

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.

Letter (2-5)

Letter to Minister O'Donovan highlighting the important role of independent media and identifying industry challenges. Letter to Minister Burke in relation to the same issues, to include identifying relevant matters under his Departmental remit. Letter to Minister for State Niamh Smyth regarding AI and digital transformation

Meeting (1)

Meeting with Minister's Special Advisor. Meeting with Departmental officials to discuss the European Media Freedom Act.

Meeting (1)

Meeting with Coimisiún na Meán to introduce Mediahuis Ireland and discuss the challenges facing the independent media sector.

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.

Patrick O'Donovan Minister of State (Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media)

Theresa Newman Special Adviser (Department of Further and Higher Education, Innovation and Science)

Peter Burke Minister (Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment)

Niamh Smyth Minister of State (Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment)

Rónán Ó Domhnaill Commissioner (Coimisiún na Meán)