Independent Broadcasters of Ireland

Lobbying Organisation Independent Broadcasters of Ireland

Date published 15 May, 2026

Relevant Matter Public policy or programme

Public Policy Area Economic Development and Industry

Period 1 Jan. 2026 to 30 Apr. 2026

Specific Details Communicating the concern of IBI Members about the large-scale increase in the regulatory levy on radio stations.

Intended results To seek to have the increase in the regulatory levy halted or reduced, and for political or regulatory intervention to take place to address the concerns of Members; to communicate the pressure caused to radio stations by such a large-scale increase in a state mandated charge.

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? Yes

What is the directive you gave to the grassroots campaigners? To contact TDs and Senators to explain the extent of the increase, the lack of warning, and the major concern in sector and to ask public representatives to seek intervention at Government/Ministerial level.

Was this lobbying done on behalf of a client? No

Lobbying activity

The following activities occurred for this specific Subject Matter Area.

Email (31-50)

Emails to public representatives or public officials in relation the highly concerning increase in the regulatory Levy

Letter (2-5)

Letters to Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport and to Coimisiún na Meán in relation Levy

Phone call (21-30)

Phone calls to public representatives or public officials in relation to the IBI campaign to raise awareness, communicate detail and seek action on the regulatory Levy increase.

Social Media (21-30)

Social media outreach with copies of our statement and briefing on the regulatory Levy.

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.

Barry Andrews MEP (European Parliament)

Barry Cowen MEP (European Parliament)

Alan Kelly TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Sean Kelly MEP (European Parliament)

Nina Carberry MEP (European Parliament)

Regina Doherty MEP (European Parliament)

Aoife MacEvilly Commissioner (Coimisiún na Meán)

Sean Canney Minister of State (Department of Transport)

Shane Moynihan TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Colm Brophy TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Kieran O'Donnell TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Christopher O’Sullivan Minister of State (Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage)

Alan Dillon Minister of State (Department of Climate, Energy and the Environment)

Deirdre Gillane Chief of Staff (Department of the Taoiseach)

Seán Kyne Senator (Seanad)

Billy Kelleher MEP (European Parliament)

Jerry Buttimer Minister of State (Department of Rural and Community Development)

Sinéad Gibney TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Sarah Bardon Chief of Staff (Department of the Taoiseach)

Brian Brennan TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Alison Comyn Senator (Seanad)

Malcolm Byrne TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Cynthia Ní Mhurchú MEP (European Parliament)

Catherine Callaghan TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

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