THE FINE GAEL Minister of State with responsibility for the Deposit Return Scheme has pushed back on accusations that a conflict of interest exists in his being lobbied by a fellow Fine Gael councillor employed by Re-turn. 

Last week, Aontú leader Peadar Tóibín said it was a “shocking” and “disgraceful” conflict of interest that Fine Gael councillor for Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown, Eoin O’Driscoll, lobbies his party colleague, junior minister Alan Dillon, on Re-turn’s behalf. 

He told the Irish Times: “Here we have a Fine Gael representative on both sides of the lobbying equation – that is the very definition of a conflict of interests.”

Re-turn is the not-for-profit organisation set up in 2024 to manage the State’s deposit return scheme for cans and plastic bottles.

O’Driscoll took up the position of Public and Regulatory Affairs Manager at Re-turn in March of this year. Before this, he was a director at Teneo, the advisory firm that manages public relations for Re-turn. 

He has been a Fine Gael councillor since December 2024, when he was co-opted to replace Maeve O’Connell, following her election to Dáil Éireann. 

Councillor Eoin O'Driscoll Fine Gael Fine Gael

O’Driscoll has denied any conflict of interest between his two roles and his lobbying of a party colleague. 

Speaking to The Journal, Junior Minister with responsibility for the circular economy, Alan Dillon, said he “can’t control” who Re-turn employs.

“What I’d say is the hiring of the Fine Gael councillor is a matter for Re-turn, that is absolutely nothing got to do with myself.

“I would regularly meet with Re-turn and their senior management in regards to the operation of the scheme, in terms of its compliance and how it’s progressing, any new initiatives that are being brought forward. And in doing so we have officials there – It’s very honest, it’s a robust conversation, and nothing is untoward in any of the discussions I have with Re-turn.

“So, again, I can’t control what Re-turn do in terms of hiring personnel,” Dillon said. 

Lobbying records show O’Driscoll has lobbied Dillon in relation to proposed legislative changes to make the deposit return scheme more “effective and efficient” since he took up his role in March.

In a statement, O’Driscoll told The Journal: 

“I take my responsibilities to our local community and the trust placed in public office very seriously. I am in full compliance with all guidelines and rules related to my role as a County Councillor.

“I am very proud of the work I do on behalf of my constituents as a Councillor and separately of my work on behalf of a non-profit organisation supporting the development of Ireland’s circular economy.”

Asked if it is appropriate for a Fine Gael councillor to be lobbying a Fine Gael minister, Dillon said: 

“Well, you see, we see it in the Oireachtas, or we see it in all parts of life. Councillors are only part-time, they have careers in their professions outside of that, so you know it’s not up to me in terms of where he wants his employment to continue or end.

“And if he is employed by Re-turn, that’s just a part of his function. If he has to engage with ministers or department officials, then that’s part of his job, and that’s part of his responsibility.”

Asked if he sees it as a conflict of interest, as argued by Toibín, Dillon said as a minister, he is obliged by the Lobbying Act to ensure that anything that is brought to his attention is registered and recorded in the appropriate fashion.

“And I think that’s only right. I think when officials are present, when it’s done in the right manner, and integrity and transparency is at the heart of it, then they have a job, we have a job,” Dillon said.  

A spokesperson for Re-turn said Re-turn operates “in full compliance with all applicable governance, ethics and government engagement requirements. All relevant activity is recorded and published in accordance with the Regulation of Lobbying Act.”

Fine Gael declined to comment.