National Infertility Support and Information Group

Lobbying Organisation National Infertility Support and Information Group

Date published 21 Sep, 2023

Relevant Matter Legislation

Public Policy Area Health

Period 1 May, 2023 to 31 Aug, 2023

Specific Details NISIG is the only Irish charity supporting and advocating on behalf of those experiencing fertility issues. One of our primary aims is to ensure that equality is secured, and the human rights of children conceived using AHR, their intended parents and families are protected and advanced in legislation and policy, in addition to advocating for the introduction of an equitable & fair system of public funding.

Intended results NISIG contacted a number of DPO’s over the last quarter, regarding the upcoming Assisted Human Reproduction Legislation, specifically addressing the need for an equitable system of publicly funded for fertility treatment and the speed at which public funding will be implemented.

Name of person primarily responsible for lobbying on this activity Caitríona Fitzpatrick

Did any Designated Public Official(DPO) or former Designated Public Official(DPO) carry out lobbying activities on your behalf in relation to this return? You must include yourself, and answer Yes, if you are a current DPO or a DPO at any time in the past. (What is a Designated Public Official?) Yes

Current or Former Designated Public Official(s)

Caitríona Fitzpatrick (Former DPO) Special Adviser (Department of Foreign Affairs)

Did you manage or direct a grassroots campaign? No

Was this lobbying done on behalf of a client? No

Lobbying activity

The following activities occurred for this specific Subject Matter Area.

Email (1)

NISIG emailed TD Brid Smith as part of our remit as a representative group to outline members concerns relating to a number of areas in the upcoming AHR legislation particularly in relation to the introduction of an equitable system of publicly funded fertility treatment throughout Ireland and the speed of its implementation.

Email (1)

NISIG emailed TD Neasa Hourigan as part of our remit as a representative group to outline members concerns relating to a number of areas in the upcoming AHR legislation particularly in relation to the introduction of an equitable system of publicly funded fertility treatment throughout Ireland and the speed of its implementation.

Email (1)

NISIG emailed TD Holly Cairns as part of our remit as a representative group to outline members concerns relating to a number of areas in the upcoming AHR legislation particularly in relation to the introduction of an equitable system of publicly funded fertility treatment throughout Ireland and the speed of its implementation.

Email (1)

NISIG emailed TD Alan Dillon as part of our remit as a representative group to outline members concerns relating to a number of areas in the upcoming AHR legislation particularly in relation to the introduction of an equitable system of publicly funded fertility treatment throughout Ireland and the speed of its implementation.

Email (2-5)

NISIG emailed Paraic Gallagher, special adviser Department of Health, as part of our remit as a representative group to outline members concerns relating to a number of areas in the upcoming AHR legislation particularly in relation to the introduction of an equitable system of publicly funded fertility treatment throughout Ireland and the speed of its implementation.

Phone call (2-5)

NISIG spoke with Paraic Gallagher, special adviser Department of Health, as part of our remit as a representative group to discuss members concerns relating to a number of areas in the upcoming AHR legislation particularly in relation to the introduction of an equitable system of publicly funded fertility treatment throughout Ireland and the speed of its implementation.

Email (2-5)

NISIG emailed Minister Stephen Donnelly outlining members concerns relating to the upcoming AHR legislation and rollout of the public funding system for IVF in September 2023. NISIG asked that eligibility & criteria for access to public funding be broad and inclusive as possible, details relating to public funding be available as soon as possible & once public funding system is established, we would anticipate a more sufficiently funded public system for IVF be available in 2024.

Designated public officials lobbied

The following DPOs were lobbied during this return period on this specific Subject Matter Area. These DPOs were involved in at least one of the Lobbying Activities listed above, but not necessarily all of them. As returns are specific to a Subject Matter Area the above Lobbying Activities may be associated with multiple returns.

Bríd Smith TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Neasa Hourigan TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Holly Cairns TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Alan Dillon TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Paraic Gallagher Special Adviser (Department of Health)

Stephen Donnelly Minister (Department of Health)