Irish Wildlife Trust CLG.

Lobbying Organisation Irish Wildlife Trust CLG.

Date published 20 Jan, 2026

Relevant Matter Legislation

Public Policy Area Environment

Period 1 Sep, 2025 to 31 Dec, 2025

Specific Details Common Fisheries Policy, marine protected area legislation, habitat and birds directive, nature restoration regulation, weakening of environmental laws at EU level under simplification agenda, upcoming Irish presidency of the EU Council. Fox hunting Bill

Intended results Any review of the CFP doesn't result in a weakening of the environmental aspects. Better management of current Natura 2000 sites under the bird and habitats directives Faster delivery of ambitious MPA legislation in Ireland Funding made available for restoration acitivies under the nature restoration regulation We want these environmental priorities kept in mind during the Irish presidency of the EU COuncil in the second half of 2026 We want a stop to be put to the weakening of environmental laws at EU level through the simplification agenda Fox hunting to be banned in Ireland

Name of person primarily responsible for lobbying on this activity Grace Carr

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.

Social Media (11-20)

Posts highlighting the European call for evidence on the simplification of environmental laws and encouraging people to submit. Posts highlighting the upcoming bill to ban fox hunting and encouraging people to contact their TDs.

Meeting (2-5)

Met in the European parliament to discuss marine protected areas with MEP Michael McNamara. Met with Minister Thomas Byrne in the government buildings to discuss upcoming EU Irish council presidency, upcoming EU legislation (reviews of CFP, the EU Ocean Act) and current issues with Ireland's management of protected sites designated under EU law.

Virtual Meeting (2-5)

Met with Minister Timmy Dooley alongside fishing representatives to discuss the CFP and sustainability impact assessments aorund fisheries. The meeting was in person but I attended online due to other engagements.

Email (2-5)

Emails to MEPs requesting meetings while in Brussels for EU Ocean week

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.

Timmy Dooley Minister of State (Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine)

Michael McNamara MEP (European Parliament)

Thomas Byrne Minister of State (Department of Foreign Affairs)

Sean Kelly MEP (European Parliament)

Kathleen Funchion MEP (European Parliament)

Nina Carberry MEP (European Parliament)