Shaping constructive engagement with members of the Oireachtas: What good looks like

Having served as a Councillor for seven years and as a member of the Oireachtas for fourteen, I know first hand what makes an approach credible, useful and respectful. Now, working with Fenton Fitzwilliam on public affairs strategies, I see the difference it makes when engagement is rooted in best practice.

Clarity and Purpose

Good engagement begins with clarity. Politicians are inundated with information and requests. The most effective approaches set out a clear purpose; what the issue is, why it matters, and what action is sought.

A concise, evidence based briefing - rather than a lengthy report - helps the busy TD or Senator grasp the essentials quickly. That said, when detail must be provided, a concise, separate briefing document is often the first item read.
This means doing the work in advance; identifying one or two priority asks, ensuring they are realistic, and presenting them in a way that aligns with the policy makers role. When everything is a priority, nothing is prioritised.

Relevance and local impact

Oireachtas Members are most responsive when issues connect with their priorities. That might mean their policy portfolio, committee work, or most often, the needs of their constituents. Even national issues land more effectively when framed through a local lens. Demonstrating how a proposal supports jobs, services, or opportunities in a TD’s or Senators home constituency adds weight and political relevance.

Building relationships, not transactions

Engagement should never be a one-off transaction. The best relationships are built over time, with regular updates, responsiveness, and trust. Politicians value advocates who are constructive, reliable, and to follow through on commitments. For clients, this means maintaining dialogue even outside of immediate campaigns, providing insights, feedback, or simply acknowledging when support has been given.

Supporting policy makers work

Good engagement makes life easier for a TD or Senator. That might mean supplying data for parliamentary questions, offering case studies for debates, or even providing draft ideas that can be adapted into amendments or speeches. When you help an Oireachtas Member to do their job better, you strengthen their willingness to engage in the future.

Transparency and compliance

Under Ireland’s regulation of lobbying acts. Transparency is a legal requirement. But it is also the foundation of credibility. Registering lobbying activity, being upfront about who you represent, and respecting boundaries protects both the client and the politician. Responsible engagement avoids any perception of impropriety and ensures the focus remains on the merits of the case.

Using digital channels wisely

Platforms like LinkedIn are increasingly valuable for monitoring political priorities, sharing research, and building thought leadership. Unlike other social media spaces that can feel polarised or toxic, LinkedIn offers a more professional and policy focused environment. For clients this means their messages are less likely to be lost in partisan noise, and for public representatives it creates space for constructive discussion rather than confrontation.

Thoughtful engagement online, whether by amplifying a TDs or senators post, provide credible commentary on a policy development, or sharing evidence that supports informed debate, can complement in person meetings. The key is to add value, not noise. Used well,it can strengthen relationships by showing professionalism, transparency, and respect for the policy makers process, while keeping the focus firmly on solutions rather than division.

Mutual value

Ultimately, good engagement recognises that success comes when both sides gain. Clients see their concerns heard and considered, while politicians gain credible information, local insight, and practical support to deliver for their constituents.

Adding value is striking a balance between advocacy and support. For clients, effective engagement secures access, visibility, and influence on the issues that matter most to their business or sector. For Oireachtas members, the same engagement should lighten the load by providing credible research, clear local impacts, and solutions framed in a way that resonates with their constituents.

When advocacy equips a TD or Senator with tools that they can confidently bring into the chamber, into a committee room, or back to their local community, it transforms lobbying from a narrow quest into a partnership that strengthens both policy making and representation.

By Alan Farrell, LGI Senior Director of Government Affairs & Policy