Politician(s) lobbied: Colm O'Reardon (Secretary General), Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science; James Lawless (Minister), Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science
Intent: Continuation of funding
Methods: Letter
Details by Method
Method not specified
Correspondence between Queen's University Belfast and the Department of Further and Higher Education
Method not specified
Research
Method not specified
Innovation and Science on the funding of medical students in Queen's.
Politician(s) lobbied: Thomas Byrne (Minister of State), Department of Foreign Affairs
Intent: A lecture, requested by Minister Byrne's office, to students and staff, on the Government's priorities for the upcoming presidency of the EU.
Methods: Event / Reception
Details by Method
Method not specified
Lecture by Thomas Byrne TD
Method not specified
Minister of State at the Department of the Taoiseach and the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade with special responsibility for European Affairs and at the Department of Defence
Method not specified
at Queen's University Belfast on 26 February 2026.
Politician(s) lobbied: James Lawless (Minister), Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science; Amii McKeever (Special Advisor), Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science; Colm O'Reardon (Secretary General), Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science
Intent: Establishing the partnership alongside the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, ahead of formal signing of Heads of Agreement and the Minister, James Lawless TD, obtaining Cabinet approval for bring forward legislation.
Methods: Virtual MeetingEvent / Reception
Details by Method
Method not specified
Communications/meetings to discuss the partnership between Queen's University Belfast and DKIT
Politician(s) lobbied: Sonja Hyland (Deputy Secretary General), Department of Foreign Affairs
Intent: Information exchange with postgraduate students in politics and international relations, focusing on diplomacy, policy, and current global challenges; informal discussion on current research, international collaboration, and strategic priorities.
Methods: Meeting
Details by Method
Method not specified
The Department of Foreign Affairs approached Queen’s University Belfast to host a half day visit for Deputy Secretary General Sonja Hyland (who is responsible for the Ireland
Method not specified
UK and Americas Division). This visit followed a similar visit by the Department’s Secretary General
Method not specified
Joe Hackett
Method not specified
in 2023
Politician(s) lobbied: Helen McEntee (Minister), Department of Foreign Affairs
Intent: Conversation and briefing to the Minister, along with other stakeholders, on the work of Queen's University Belfast.
Methods: EmailLetter
Details by Method
Method not specified
Letter of invite to Helen McEntee TD
Method not specified
to a private lunch in The Merrion Hotel on 11 December.
Politician(s) lobbied: Micheál Martin (An Taoiseach), Department of the Taoiseach
Intent: Irish Government approval for DKIT becoming a college of Queen's University Belfast.
Methods: LetterEmail
Details by Method
Method not specified
Various correspondence between Queen's University Belfast and the Taoiseach in relation to the Irish Cabinet approval of Dundalk Institute of Technology becoming a college of Queen's University Belfast.
Politician(s) lobbied: James Lawless (Minister), Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science
Intent: Approval firstly by the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science of Ireland and latterly, the Irish Government.
Methods: LetterEmail
Details by Method
Method not specified
Various correspondence between Queen's University Belfast and the Minister for Further and Higher Education
Method not specified
Research
Method not specified
Innovation and Science of Ireland
Method not specified
James Lawless TD
Method not specified
in relation to the Irish Cabinet approval of Dundalk Institute of Technology becoming a college of Queen's University Belfast.
Politician(s) lobbied: James Lawless (Minister), Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science
Intent: Increasing collaboration in higher education across the Island of Ireland.
Methods: Letter
Details by Method
Method not specified
Queen's University hosted the Universities Ireland conference on 10 October. The Minister for Further and Higher Education
Method not specified
Research
Method not specified
Innovation and Science of Ireland
Method not specified
James Lawless TD
Method not specified
provided a video address at the conference.
Politician(s) lobbied: James Lawless (Minister), Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science
Intent: Developing relationships between academia, industry and government.
Methods: Event / Reception
Details by Method
Method not specified
Queen's University invited the Minister for Further and Higher Education
Method not specified
Research
Method not specified
Innovation and Science of Ireland
Method not specified
James Lawless TD
Method not specified
to deliver a keynote address at the RIA in Dublin on 19 June.
Politician(s) lobbied: Emer Currie (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas
Intent: Showcasing the role of Queen's in delivery of ROI Government policy
Methods: Event / Reception
Details by Method
Method not specified
Emer Currie TD sponsored an event in Leinster House on 19 June where Queen's University Belfast showcased its research in specific areas. The event was attended by a number of TDs and Senators.
