Oxfam Ireland

Lobbying Organisation Oxfam Ireland

Date published 20 May, 2016

Relevant Matter Public policy or programme

Public Policy Area Social Protection

Period 1 Jan, 2016 to 30 Apr, 2016

Specific Details Oxfam Ireland conducted a pre-election campaign to lobby politicians to make equality a priority in the new Programme for Government. Our specific asks were on tax justice, gender equality and access to quality public services through increased overseas development assistance.

Intended results That the next Government would propose specific policy change in the 2016 Programme for Government aimed at combating the rising inequality apparent in Ireland and globally.

Name of person primarily responsible for lobbying on this activity Marissa Ryan, Oxfam Ireland Advocacy and Campaigns Manager.

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? To sign an Oxfam petition to the "future" Taoiseach in advance of the February election, asking them to place equality at the heart of the Programme for Government.

Was this lobbying done on behalf of a client? No

Mass communications

Informal communication All Oireachtas Members The petition was actually aimed at a "future" Taoiseach and was aimed at building public support for equality issues, rather than at Oireachtas members specifically. We subsequently head a photo stunt outside the Dáil with volunteers and campaigners holding a sign demonstrating the number of petition signatures received.

Lobbying activity

The following activities occurred for this specific Subject Matter Area.

Event / Reception (1)

As part of the same campaign we held a political hustings event in advance of the election in the IFI, which was Chaired by economist David McWilliams. Oxfam campaigners and volunteers were invited to hear from each of the candidates on their positions in relation to the Oxfam pre-election campaign priorities (tax, gender and public services.) We held this event in partnership with the National Women's Council of Ireland, and Q4PR assisted with our public relations engagement for the event. Political candidates at the hustings were John Lyons (Labour), Eoin O'Broin (Sinn Fein) Bríd Smith (PBP) Lorraine Clifford-Lee (FF) and Carol Hunt (Independent)

Designated public officials lobbied

There were no DPOs directly lobbied during this return period on this specific Subject Matter Area.