Pfizer (Pfizer)

Lobbying Organisation Pfizer

Date published 19 May, 2017

Relevant Matter Legislation

Public Policy Area Economic Development and Industry

Period 1 Jan, 2017 to 30 Apr, 2017

Specific Details The Companies Act 2014 allowed for a Ministerial exemption from changing a company name to include the word 'unlimited' in the company name. This change would create significant administrative and cost burden for five of Pfizer's Irish entities responsible for the global supply and distribution of medicines manufactured in Ireland, giving rise to in excess of 2,200 new regulatory filings for medicine packaging and patient leaflets in 140 countries at an estimated cost of €20 million.

Intended results Maintain abilty of Minister to grant exemptions by not repealing section 1237(5) of the Companies Act 2014 under which Pfizer had secured exemptions for five out of seventeen Irish entities; or introduce an additional amendment to address the disproportionate burden of this change on pharmaceutical companies who supply and distribute globally from Ireland who have to seek re-approval by health authorities across the world for any changes made to patient information leaflets and packaging.

Name of person primarily responsible for lobbying on this activity Karen O'Keeffe

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

Mass communications

Email All Senators An email briefing was sent to all Senators as the Companies (Accounting) Bill progressed through the Seanad.

Lobbying activity

The following activities occurred for this specific Subject Matter Area.

Email (11-20)

Meeting (2-5)

Meeting with Senator Colm Burke at Leinster House; meeting with Deputy Fiona O'Loughlin at Pfizer manufacturing site in Newbridge; meeting with Deputy Michael McGrath at Pfizer manufacturing site in Cork; meeting with Deputy James Lawless at Leinster House.

Phone call (11-20)

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.

Fiona O'Loughlin TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Michael McGrath TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Niall Collins TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Breda Power Assistant Secretary (Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation)

Mary Mitchell O'Connor Minister (Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation)

Mary Butler TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Gerry Horkan Senator (Seanad)

Colm Burke Senator (Seanad)

Roy Dooney Special Adviser (Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation)

Micheal Martin TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Mark Kennelly Chief of Staff (Department of the Taoiseach)

David Norris Senator (Seanad)

James Reilly Senator (Seanad)

Martin Heydon TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Michael McDowell Senator (Seanad)

Jerry Buttimer Senator (Seanad)

Neale Richmond Senator (Seanad)