Galway Chamber

Politician(s) lobbied: Maria Walsh (MEP), European Parliament; Nina Carberry (MEP), European Parliament; Hildegarde Naughton (Minister of State), Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth; Clodagh Higgins (Councillor), Galway City Council; Eddie Hoare (Councillor), Galway City Council; Seán Kyne (Senator), Seanad; Frank Fahy (Councillor), Galway City Council; Shane Forde (Councillor), Galway City Council

Intent: Explored ways to strengthen Galway’s connection to Europe and create opportunities for businesses, community groups, and innovation hubs.Proposed a dedicated EU Funding Officer in Galway to help organisations access EU funding.Stressed the importance of engaging directly with MEPs to amplify Galway’s voice in Brussels.Highlighted Ireland’s 2026 EU Presidency as a chance to attract European-focused events to Galway.

Methods: Galway Chamber Hosts Strategic Roundtable with MEPs Event in the Galway Chamber Offices

Politician(s) lobbied: Mairéad Farrell (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas

Intent: Investment in infrastructure including Ring Road, Western Rail Corridor, Shannon Airport

Methods: Meeting

Politician(s) lobbied: Clodagh Higgins (Councillor), Galway City Council

Intent: To ensure the Council has visibility on Chamber Members Priorities

Methods: Meeting

Politician(s) lobbied: Liam Conneally (Chief Executive Officer), Galway County Council; Leonard Cleary (Chief Executive Officer), Galway City Council

Intent: To align priorities and a pathway for the Chamber to support the work of the Councils::To gain clarity of the sale of Galway Airport

Methods: Meeting

Politician(s) lobbied: Peter Burke (Minister), Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment

Intent: the delivery of an AI lead for Ireland::R&D support for the indigenous Irish Enterprises ::To reduce regulatory burden on SMEs::Fast-Track investment in infrastructure into the west and north-west of Ireland

Methods: Event / Reception

Politician(s) lobbied: Peter Burke (Minister), Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment

Intent: For Shannon Airport inclusion in The Regional Airport Programme

Methods: Event / Reception

Politician(s) lobbied: Noel Grealish (Minister of State), Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine; John Connolly (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Mairéad Farrell (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Albert Dolan (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas

Intent: Seeking policy support and investment around housing availability, affordability, and the impact of student accommodation and planning frameworks, including the Residential Zoned Land Tax (RZLT).

Methods: Meeting

Politician(s) lobbied: Leonard Cleary (Chief Executive Officer), Galway City Council; Liam Conneally (Chief Executive Officer), Galway County Council; Patrick Greene (Director of Services or Equivalent), Galway City Council; Helen Kilroy (Head of Finance), Galway City Council; Peter Keane (Councillor), Galway City Council; Mike Cubbard (Councillor), Galway City Council; Liam Hanrahan (Director of Services or Equivalent), Galway County Council; Eileen Ruane (Director of Services or Equivalent), Galway County Council

Intent: To agree on key strategic and priority projects for Galway

Methods: Meeting

Politician(s) lobbied: John Connolly (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas

Intent: To promote policies that protect and enhance Galway’s cultural identity, language heritage, and authentic tourism offering as key assets in destination development.

Methods: Meeting

Politician(s) lobbied: Seán Canney (Minister of State), Department of Transport

Intent: To influence national transport and aviation policy in favour of directing more international and domestic air traffic through regional airports, enhancing connectivity and regional development.

Methods: Meeting