Vintners' Federation of Ireland

Politician(s) lobbied: Deirdre Gillane (Chief of Staff), Department of the Taoiseach; Mary Rose Desmond (Councillor), Cork City Council; Diarmuid Lynch (Special Adviser), Department of the Taoiseach; Niall O’ Connor (Special Advisor), Department of Foreign Affairs; Clare Mungovan (Special Adviser), Department of the Taoiseach; Sarah Bardon (Chief of Staff), Department of the Taoiseach; Sam Griffin (Adviser to Minister), Department of Finance; Darragh Gallagher (Adviser to Minister), Department of Social Protection; Michael Brennan (Special Adviser), Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth; Laura Mannion (Special Adviser), Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment; Padraig Hughes (Special Adviser), Department of Transport; Angelina Nugent (Adviser to Minister), Department of Transport; Garrett Ahern (Senator), Seanad; Niall Blaney (Senator), Seanad; Paraic Brady (Senator), Seanad; Cathal Byrne (Senator), Seanad; Maria Byrne (Senator), Seanad; Pat Casey (Senator), Seanad; Alison Comyn (Senator), Seanad; Martin Conway (Senator), Seanad; Teresa Costello (Senator), Seanad; Ollie Crowe (Senator), Seanad; Shane Curley (Senator), Seanad; Mark Daly (Senator), Seanad; Paul Daly (Senator), Seanad; Aidan Davitt (Senator), Seanad; Mark Duffy (Senator), Seanad; Mary Fitzpatrick (Senator), Seanad; Joe Flaherty (Senator), Seanad; Robbie Gallagher (Senator), Seanad; Garret Kelleher (Senator), Seanad; Mike Kennelly (Senator), Seanad; Sharon Keogan (Senator), Seanad; Eileen Lynch (Senator), Seanad; PJ Murphy (Senator), Seanad; Margaret Murphy O'Mahony (Senator), Seanad; Linda Nelson Murray (Senator), Seanad; Noel O'Donovan (Senator), Seanad; Fiona O'Loughlin (Senator), Seanad; Sarah O'Reilly (Senator), Seanad; Anne Rabbitte (Senator), Seanad; Dee Ryan (Senator), Seanad; Gareth Scahill (Senator), Seanad; Patricia Stephenson (Senator), Seanad; Diarmuid Wilson (Senator), Seanad; William Aird (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Brian Brennan (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Pat Buckley (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Peter Burke (Minister), Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment; Mary Butler (Government Chief Whip and Minister), Department of the Taoiseach; Paula Butterly (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Jerry Buttimer (Minister of State), Department of Rural and Community Development; Michael Cahill (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Catherine Callaghan (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Dara Calleary (Minister), Department of Rural and Community Development; Seán Canney (Minister of State), Department of Transport; Micheál Carrigy (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Jack Chambers (Minister), Department of Finance; Peter 'Chap' Cleere (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; John Clendennen (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Michael Collins (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Niall Collins (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; John Connolly (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Rose Conway-Walsh (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Joe Cooney (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Cathal Crowe (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Martin Daly (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Aisling Dempsey (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Alan Dillon (Minister of State), Department of Climate, Energy and the Environment; Pearse Doherty (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Timmy Dooley (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Mairéad Farrell (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Norma Foley (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Pat the Cope Gallagher (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Noel Grealish (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Simon Harris (Tánaiste and Minister), Department of Finance; Danny Healy-Rae (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Michael Healy-Rae (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Martin Heydon (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Kiera Keogh (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Claire Kerrane (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Seán Kyne (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; James Lawless (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Paul Lawless (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Micheál Martin (Taoiseach), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; David Maxwell (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Noel McCarthy (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Tony McCormack (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Seamus McGrath (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Erin McGreehan (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Mattie McGrath (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Conor D McGuinness (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; John McGuinness (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Aindrias Moynihan (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Michael Moynihan (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Michael Murphy (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Joe Neville (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Natasha Newsome Drennan (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Carol Nolan (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Shónagh Ní Raghallaigh (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; James O'Connor (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Willie O'Dea (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Patrick O'Donovan (Minister of State), Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media; Ken O'Flynn (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Ryan O'Meara (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Darren O'Rourke (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; John Paul O'Shea (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Pádraig O'Sullivan (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Peter Roche (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Eamon Scanlon (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Brendan Smith (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Niamh Smyth (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Robert Troy (Minister of State), Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment; Peadar Tóibín (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Naoise O'Cearúil (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Seán Ó Fearghaíl (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas

Intent: To seek support for the pub sector in Budget 2027

Methods: Unknown

Politician(s) lobbied: Norma Foley (Minister), Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth; Michael Brennan (Special Adviser), Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth; Emer Higgins (Minister of State), Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment; Treasa Kelly (Special Advisor), Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment

Intent: To ensure an understanding of VFI industry perspectives on the proposed legislation (Equality (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2025).

Methods: EmailInformal communication

Politician(s) lobbied: James O'Connor (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Carol Nolan (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Ryan O'Meara (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Tony McCormack (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Michael Cahill (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Ollie Crowe (Senator), Seanad; Linda Nelson Murray (Senator), Seanad; Seán Kyne (Senator), Seanad; Dee Ryan (Senator), Seanad; Simon Harris (An Taoiseach), Department of the Taoiseach; Clare Mungovan (Special Adviser), Department of the Taoiseach; Conor Glynn (Special Advisor to the Tanaiste), Department of the Taoiseach; Niall O'Connor (Special Adviser), Department of Rural and Community Development; Clare Costello (Assistant Secretary), Department of Finance; Sinead Ryan (Assistant Secretary), Department of Finance; George Lawlor (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Catherine Callaghan (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Brian Brennan (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Peter 'Chap' Cleere (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Shane Curley (Senator), Seanad; Pat Casey (Senator), Seanad; John Clendennen (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Michael Collins (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Rose Conway-Walsh (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Joe Cooney (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Albert Dolan (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Michael Lowry (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Erin McGreehan (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Peadar Tóibín (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Peter Roche (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Naoise O'Cearúil (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Michael Murphy (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Joe Flaherty (Senator), Seanad; PJ Murphy (Senator), Seanad; Fiona O'Loughlin (Senator), Seanad; Emer Currie (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Micheál Martin (An Taoiseach), Department of the Taoiseach; Diarmuid Lynch (Special Adviser), Department of the Taoiseach; Kieran McQuinn (Special Advisor to the Taoiseach), Department of the Taoiseach; Peter Burke (Minister), Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment; Laura Mannion (Special Adviser), Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment; Robert Troy (Minister of State), Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment; Andrew Smith (Adviser to Minister of State), Department of Finance; Seán Canney (Minister of State), Department of Transport; Cáit Nic Amhlaoibh (Policy and Programme for Government Coordinator for Independents), Department of the Taoiseach; Dara Calleary (Minister), Department of Rural and Community Development

Intent: To seek support for the pub sector in Budget 2027, relating to our proposed on-trade sustainability scheme which seeks to develop a tax credit on draught kegs to reduce publicans overall costs and increases their viability as businesses.

Methods: EmailInformal communicationMeeting

Politician(s) lobbied: Unknown

Intent: Unknown

Methods: Unknown

Politician(s) lobbied: Paul Lawless (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Michael Lowry (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; James O'Connor (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Seamus McGrath (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Edward Timmins (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Joe Neville (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Michael Collins (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas

Intent: A reduction in excise duty would be the fairest and most effective way to support all pubs and the VFI is proposing a rebate scheme on the excise paid on draught beer/cider.::There has been a 20% drop in licensed taxi drivers over the past 13 years which severely impacts pubs; late-night trade and customer safety. We are asking for support to urgently reform the taxi sector by reforming of entry tests, increasing funding for taxi grants and increase the number of taxis.

Methods: Meeting

Politician(s) lobbied: Pádraig O'Sullivan (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas

Intent: A reduction in excise duty would be the fairest and most effective way to support all pubs and the VFI is proposing a rebate scheme on the excise paid on draught beer/cider.::There has been a 20% drop in licensed taxi drivers over the past 13 years which severely impacts pubs; late-night trade and customer safety. We are asking for support to urgently reform the taxi sector by reforming of entry tests, increasing funding for taxi grants and increase the number of taxis.

Methods: Meeting

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

Intent: To meet with the Minister following his invitation to business groups to bring forward sector-specific ideas for future supports. The VFI is calling for a scheme that would offer a 40% excise rebate on draught products up to a maximum rebate value of €20,000. This would provide direct relief to publicans while encouraging on-trade consumption.

Methods: Letter

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

Intent: To remind the Minister of his confirmation that a new appeals system for the Power Up Grant would open at the start of 2025 so that business would have the opportunity to challenge misclassification and render them eligible for the €4k Power Up Grant which should be paid by the end of February.

Methods: Email

Politician(s) lobbied: James Browne (Minister), Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage

Intent: As there has been a significant decline (20%) in cruiser traffic on the Shannon since 2018 any new charges or levies will impact negatively on our members and other tourism businesses in small towns and villages along the waterways. We call on the Minister to instigate an independent study to ascertain the effect these increases would have.

Methods: Email

Politician(s) lobbied: Peter Burke (Minister), Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment; Simon Harris (Minister), Department of Foreign Affairs; Jim O'Callaghan (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Robert Troy (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas

Intent: To call on the Ministers to initiate a public, transparent and rigorous review of the Judicial Council's recommendation to increase personal injury awards by almost 17%. This would greatly diminish the excellent programme of insurance reform delivered by the last government and undo much of the progress to date.

Methods: Email