ESB

Lobbying Organisation ESB

Date published 21 Jan, 2026

Relevant Matter Public policy or programme

Public Policy Area Energy and Natural Resources

Period 1 Sep, 2025 to 31 Dec, 2025

Specific Details Engagement continues with Principal Officers in the Departments of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, and Climate, Energy and the Environment on proposed amendments to Section 98 of the Electricity Supply Act to support the safe and resilient management of forestry corridors around electricity overhead lines. Support from TDs is being sought to advance the required legislative changes

Intended results Policy changes in relation to forestry planted in close proximity to the electricity network to ensure safe and resilient forestry corridors are maintained

Name of person primarily responsible for lobbying on this activity Declan Whyte, Forestry Manager ESB Networks and Seán Murphy, Public Affairs Manager, ESB

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.

Email (6-10)

Include indirect communication to Paul Bolger, Assistant Secretary, DCEE

Phone call (2-5)

Include indirect communication to Paul Bolger, Assistant Secretary, DCEE

Meeting (6-10)

Include indirect communication to Paul Bolger, Assistant Secretary, DCEE

Conference Call (6-10)

Include indirect communication to Paul Bolger, Assistant Secretary, DCEE

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.

Barry Delaney Director (Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine)

Paul Bolger Assistant Secretary (Department of Climate, Energy and the Environment)

Pádraig O'Sullivan TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Peter 'Chap' Cleere TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Aindrias Moynihan TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

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

Naoise O'Cearúil TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Paul Daly Senator (Seanad)

Dee Ryan Senator (Seanad)

Erin McGreehan TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Brendan Smith TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Martin Daly TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Catherine Ardagh TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Michael Moynihan TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Robbie Gallagher Senator (Seanad)

Eamon Scanlon TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Anne Rabbitte Senator (Seanad)

Pat the Cope Gallagher TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Fiona O'Loughlin Senator (Seanad)

John Connolly TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Niall Blaney Senator (Seanad)