Mercer Ireland Group

Lobbying Organisation Mercer Ireland Group

Date published 22 Jan, 2026

Relevant Matter Legislation

Public Policy Area Banking and Financial Institutions

Period 1 Sep, 2025 to 31 Dec, 2025

Specific Details Letter to discuss matters relating to Auto Enrollement

Intended results Propose a consultation process that involves other key stakeholders.

Name of person primarily responsible for lobbying on this activity John Mercer

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.

Letter (1)

The letter from Mercer Ireland to Minister Calleary addresses concerns about the new Auto-Enrolment pension system’s mandatory minimum contribution rates starting January 2026. Mercer highlights challenges for employers preparing under earlier guidance, urges stakeholder consultation to avoid unintended consequences, and calls for clarity on contribution calculations and scheme treatment to ensure a smooth, workable implementation.

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.

Dara Calleary Minister (Department of Social Protection)

John McKeon Secretary General (Department of Social Protection)

Tim Duggan Assistant Secretary (Department of Social Protection)