Fórsa trade union

Lobbying Organisation Fórsa trade union

Date published 21 May, 2025

Relevant Matter Matters involving public funds

Public Policy Area Health

Period 1 Jan, 2025 to 30 Apr, 2025

Specific Details Emails, letters, including letters to two Ministers, phone calls and an online meeting was organised with the aim of seeking more funding for the healthcare system, and to support unions in being consulted regarding the pay and numbers strategy in the Health Service Executive. There were discussions in relation to the then impending Pay & Numbers dispute including possible solutions with some TDs.

Intended results Seeking more funding for the healthcare system, and to support unions in being consulted regarding the pay and numbers strategy in the Health Service Executive. There were discussions in relation to the then impending Pay & Numbers dispute including possible solutions with some TDs.

Name of person primarily responsible for lobbying on this activity Kevin Donoghue, Fórsa Director of Campaigns; Ashley Connelly, Fórsa, Head of Division - Health & Welfare; Linda Kelly, Fórsa, National Secretary, Health & Welfare

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)

Kevin Donoghue (Former DPO) Councillor (Dublin City Council)

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)

16 TDs, Senators and the Ministers for Health; Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth and were emailed regarding the Fórsa campaign and an online meeting to discuss the impending dispute and possible solutions. Contact between 1st March and 30th April 2025.

Phone call (2-5)

Some phone calls were held regarding the Fórsa campaign and an online meeting held on 26th March 2025. Contact between 1st March and 30th April 2025.

Virtual Meeting (2-5)

16 TDs, Senators and Minister were invited to a Fórsa online meeting held on 26th March attended by Ashley Connelly, Fórsa, Head of Division - Health & Welfare; Linda Kelly, Fórsa, National Secretary, Health & Welfare; and Kevin Donoghue, Fórsa Director of Campaigns to discuss the impending dispute and possible solutions

Letter (1)

Letter sent via email on 12th February 2025 to Minister Jennifer Carroll McNeill, Minister for Health; and Norma Foley, Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth from Ashley Connolly and Linda Kelly, Fórsa Health & Welfare Division regarding the Fórsa campaign on the pay and numbers strategy. Both Ministers were asked for a high-level meeting to discuss the issue; and both were invited to address the Fórsa health conference.

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.

Richard Boyd Barrett TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Marie Sherlock TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Dr Padraig Walsh Chief Executive Officer (Quality and Qualifications Ireland)

Seán Kyne Senator (Seanad)

Marian Harkin TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Michael Collins TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Liam Quaide TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Laura Harmon Senator (Seanad)

Colm Burke Minister of State (Department of Health)

Jennifer Carroll MacNeill Minister (Department of Health)

John Lahart TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Aindrias Moynihan TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

David Cullinane TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Frances Black Senator (Seanad)

Peadar Tóibín TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

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

Norma Foley Minister (Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth)