Oxfam Ireland

Lobbying Organisation Oxfam Ireland

Date published 20 May, 2016

Relevant Matter Public policy or programme

Public Policy Area Foreign Affairs

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. 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)

Letter (1)

This letter outlined Oxfam's position on the implications of the Paris Climate Deal for European Climate Policy and was sent to Alan Kelly.

Letter (1)

A letter was sent to all newly elected TDs asking for their support for the Oxfam Make Equality #1 Campaign, and enclosing a copy of Oxfam's Policy Priorities document.

Letter (1)

A joint letter was sent by the Irish Tax Justice Network, including Oxfam, to Commissioner Phil Hogan on disclosure of tax information by multi national corporations.

Letter (1)

A letter was sent by Oxfam Ireland to Minister Michael Noonan requesting his support for the ATAD (Anti Taxi Avoidance Directive).

Email (1)

An email was sent to Andrew McDowell in the Taoiseach's Office during the negotiations on Government formation outlining Oxfam's policy points for consideration and requesting support.

Email (1)

An email was sent to Deirdre Gillane in Micheal Martin's Office during the negotiations on Government formation outlining Oxfam's policy points for consideration and requesting support.

Letter (1)

A letter was sent to Minister Michael Noonan by the Irish Tax Justice Network, including Oxfam, requesting that he support the introduction of a Public Register of the Beneficial Owners of Companies under the European Anti Money Laundering Directive (AMLD).

Letter (1)

A letter was sent to an Taoiseach Enda Kenny (copying Andrew McDowell) in advance of the UK Anti Corruption Summit calling on him to support the fight against tax dodging and requesting that he support a centralised public register of beneficial ownership at the Summit.

Letter (1)

A letter was sent to Minister Micheal Noonan (copying Derek Moran, Secretary General Department of Finance) in advance of the UK Anti Corruption Summit calling on him to support the fight against tax dodging and requesting that he support a centralised public register of beneficial ownership at the Summit.

Letter (1)

A letter was sent to an Tanaiste Frances Fitzgerald, in advance of the UK Anti Corruption Summit calling on her to support the fight against tax dodging and requesting that he support a centralised public register of beneficial ownership at the Summit.

Letter (1)

Oxfam signed a joint statement regarding humanitarian assistance for Syria on the 5th anniversary of the crisis, aimed at Minister Sean Sherlock. The statement was issued with Christian Aid, Concern Worldwide, Goal Ireland, Red Cross, Misean Cara, Plan International Ireland, Trocaire, Tearfund Ireland, and World Vision Ireland,

Informal communication (1)

CEO of Oxfam, Jim Clarken, had an informal discussion with President Higgins at an event hosted by Michael D. Higgins in his role as a global world leader of UN’s Women’s He for She Campaign.

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.

Bríd Smith TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Eoin Ó Broin TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

John Lyons TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Michael Noonan Minister (Department of Finance)

Enda Kenny TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Enda Kenny Taoiseach (Department of the Taoiseach)

Andrew McDowell Special Advisor (Department of the Taoiseach)

Frances Fitzgerald Minister of State (Department of Justice and Equality)

Alan Kelly Minister (Department of Environment, Community and Local Government)

Seán Sherlock Minister of State (Department of Foreign Affairs)