The Asthma Society of Ireland

Lobbying Organisation The Asthma Society of Ireland

Date published 20 Sep, 2019

Relevant Matter Legislation

Public Policy Area Environment

Period 1 May, 2019 to 31 Aug, 2019

Specific Details Clean Air Policy and related initiatives

Intended results Securing of improved air quality in Ireland - the Asthma Society have received support for this advocacy, public awareness, youth awareness and communications campaign from the following: ESB Energy for Generations, Toyota Ireland, Dyson, and CPL Fuels Support for long-term public behaviour change surrounding need for reduced air pollution (and changes to activity accordingly) Changes to legislation surrounding solid fuel burning in homes and its use in Ireland Reduction of fossil fuel consumption (via cars and transport), and increased usage of public transport Increased investment in air quality monitoring in Ireland Ending the favourable treatment of diesel in Ireland's tax system Improve air quality in restaurants and bars by implementing changes surrounding tobacco usage in public areas Implementation of a nationwide ban on smoky coal

Name of person primarily responsible for lobbying on this activity Sarah O'Connor

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? Clean Air Pledge on social media. Request for public behaviour changes around Clean Air initiatives and for the public to support policy and legislative changes required to ensure improved air quality in Ireland. Request that public indicate need for Clean Air initiatives to politicians.

Was this lobbying done on behalf of a client? No

Mass communications

Email All MEPs Email to all MEPs (and MEP candidates) asking for them to pledge their support for Clean Air initiatives, including the nationwide implementation of the smoky coal ban - including additional replies to acknowledge the replies received

Email All Councillors All Councillors in County Wicklow in related to tabled motion on smoky coal ban in Co. Wicklow

Lobbying activity

The following activities occurred for this specific Subject Matter Area.

Event / Reception (1)

AV Room presentation to multiple TDs on Asthma Society's Clean Air campaign in Leinster House AV Room, at the request of Clean Air Alliance

Phone call (6-10)

Phonecalls to Councillors to request motions to be submitted to county/city council to support the implementation of the nationwide smoky coal ban at local level

Email (31-50)

Emails to local Councillors in Wicklow, requesting support for a motion on implementing the smoky coal ban in Co. Wicklow

Letter (31-50)

Letters to local Councillors in Wicklow, requesting support for a motion on implementing the smoky coal ban in Co. Wicklow

Letter (1)

Letter to Minister Burton requesting meeting to brief him on Asthma Society's Clean Air campaign and related policy initiatives

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.

Stephen McKee Councillor (Meath County Council)

Richard Bruton Minister (Department of Environment, Climate and Communications)

David Fitzgerald Councillor (Kilkenny County Council)

Annie May Reape Councillor (Mayo County Council)

Mark Wall Councillor (Kildare County Council)

Seamus McGrath Councillor (Cork County Council)

Thomas Byrne TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

James Collins Councillor (Limerick City and County Council)

Ken Murnane Councillor (Carlow County Council)

Rory O'Connor Councillor (Wicklow County Council)

Malcolm Byrne Councillor (Wexford County Council)

Sinéad Maguire Councillor (Sligo County Council)

Mary Kavanagh Councillor (Wicklow County Council)