Solid Fuel Merchants Ireland (SFMI)

Lobbying Organisation Solid Fuel Merchants Ireland

Date published 07 Sep, 2026

Relevant Matter Matters involving public funds

Public Policy Area Energy and Natural Resources

Period 1 May. 2026 to 31 Aug. 2026

Specific Details Engagement on challenges facing compliant solid fuel merchants, including illegal and non-compliant fuel trading, cross-border smuggling, enforcement of solid fuel regulations, EPA registration, carbon taxation and measures to support rural retailers and households through the transition to cleaner fuels.

Intended results To secure political support for stronger and more consistent enforcement against illegal and non-compliant solid fuel trading, improved retailer registration and traceability and a fair transition to cleaner fuels. SFMI also sought recognition of the impact of taxation and regulation on compliant merchants and rural households and support for these priorities in Government policy and Budget 2027.

Name of person primarily responsible for lobbying on this activity Colin Ahern

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.

Meeting (1)

Meetings held in Leinster House to discuss Carbon Tax and its impact on retailers and household affordability, rural fuel security, illegal and non-compliant fuel trading, cross-border smuggling, stronger enforcement of solid fuel regulations and support for compliant merchants transitioning to cleaner fuels.

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.

Pearse Doherty TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)