Solid Fuel Merchants Ireland (SFMI)

Lobbying Organisation Solid Fuel Merchants Ireland

Date published 18 Sep, 2026

Relevant Matter Matters involving public funds

Public Policy Area Environment

Period 1 Sep. 2026 to 31 Dec. 2026

Specific Details SFMI engaged with TDs and Senators as part of its Budget 2027 Briefing Day on 17 September 2026. Discussions focused on stronger enforcement against illegal and non-compliant solid fuels, tackling fuel poverty and supporting compliant local merchants. SFMI sought support for a Joint Fuel Enforcement Taskforce, Solid Fuel Decarbonisation Fund, national retailer compliance database and public awareness campaign.

Intended results To secure support for SFMI’s Budget 2027 proposals, including a Joint Fuel Enforcement Taskforce, Solid Fuel Decarbonisation Fund, national retailer registration and compliance database, supports for compliant merchants, measures to address fuel poverty, and a national public awareness campaign promoting compliant solid fuels.

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.

Lobby day (1)

SFMI held a Budget 2027 Briefing Day at Buswell’s Hotel, Dublin, on 17 September 2026. Representatives met with TDs and Senators to outline the challenges facing compliant solid fuel merchants and present SFMI’s key Budget 2027 proposals on enforcement, fuel poverty, sector transition and public awareness.

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.

Charlie McConalogue Minister of State (Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media)

Mark Duffy Senator (Seanad)

John McGuinness TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Ryan O'Meara TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Paula Butterly TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)