College of Psychiatrists of Ireland

Lobbying Organisation College of Psychiatrists of Ireland

Date published 20 Jan, 2025

Relevant Matter Legislation

Public Policy Area Health

Period 1 Sep, 2024 to 31 Dec, 2024

Specific Details Letter to Ministers Donnelly and Butler again seeking an urgent meeting to discuss and highlight serious concerns with aspects of the Mental Health Bill 2024 and required amendments needed to ensure it serves its purpose for those with serious mental illness requiring treatment.

Intended results That the Department grant the meeting to explain and discuss the concerns and issues noted but also consider the well-thought-out workable solutions the College has for the relevant sections of the Bill to be amended. This is needed in advance of the department finalising its instructions to and for Government on amendments of the Bill.

Name of person primarily responsible for lobbying on this activity Dr Lorcan Martin and Dr Joanne Fegan

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?) No

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.

Letter (1)

The Bill in its current form is, in effect, unworkable for doctors and patients and, under the legislation as proposed, psychiatrists, as specialist doctors, simply would not be able to provide the requisite treatment and care to the small number of those seriously unwell in our society with severe and serious symptoms of mental illness

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.

Mary Butler Minister of State (Department of Health)

Stephen Donnelly Minister (Department of Health)