Credit Union Development Association (CUDA)

Lobbying Organisation Credit Union Development Association

Date published 21 Sep, 2026

Relevant Matter Legislation

Public Policy Area Banking and Financial Institutions

Period 1 May. 2026 to 31 Aug. 2026

Specific Details Request the Government to take targeted action to enable the next phase of growth in Ireland's credit union sector. And to support the continuation of what makes credit union different – putting members first.

Intended results Progress Corporate Credit Union and centralised funding infrastructure to support sustainable growth in lending. Provide a pathway for credit unions to access digital and cyber transformation supports, helping the sector meet increasing member expectations & regulatory requirements; Adopt a more joined-up approach to consumer financial wellbeing, recognising credit unions as trusted delivery partners in areas such as financial literacy, savings, pensions, fraud awareness & financial resilience.

Name of person primarily responsible for lobbying on this activity Helen Carbery

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? As part of CUDA attendance at the Joint Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure, Public Services Reform and Digitalisation, and Taoiseach, CUDA wrote to some of its owner member credit unions requesting that they reach out to DPOs within their common bond and locality and request that they attend the Committee and engage with the discussion.

Was this lobbying done on behalf of a client? No

Lobbying activity

The following activities occurred for this specific Subject Matter Area.

Meeting (1)

Attended the Joint Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure, Public Services Reform and Digitalisation, and Taoiseach, on the 17th June 2026. Answered queries put to us by various members of the Committee.

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.

Mairéad Farrell TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Shay Brennan TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Edward Timmins TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Colm Burke TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Pearse Doherty TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Erin McGreehan TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Ged Nash TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Cian O'Callaghan TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

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

Cathal Byrne Senator (Seanad)

Pat Casey Senator (Seanad)

Alice-Mary Higgins Senator (Seanad)

Conor Murphy Senator (Seanad)

Joe O'Reilly Senator (Seanad)