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 all TDs whom attended the 2nd stage Dail debate on the Mental Health Bill 2024 (18th & 19th Sep 2024) re comments that included incorrect details, inaccuracies and assumptions on both aspects of the Bill and its intended purpose and on aspects of services.

Intended results To address some of the comments and inaccuracies from the 2 days of debates; to raise our concern with aspects of the Mental Health Bill 2024; to note and agree with comments; to offer availability to deputies for information re any aspect of the Bill and how it can work in services and with those who are very unwell and need treatment.

Name of person primarily responsible for lobbying on this activity Dr Joanne Fegan, Director of Communications & Public Education

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 2024 Bill in its current wording will cause impossible delays in delivering lifesaving psychiatric treatment, as well as increasing the burden on our court system. The main casualty of this will be the person with serious mental illness. We are highly trained, highly regulated, experienced and more than willing to support our politicians in refining this bill to ensure it delivers on its promise. We look forward to future discussions and debate.

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.

Martin Browne TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Violet Anne Wynne TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Mary Butler TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Darren O'Rourke TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Catherine Connolly TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Thomas Pringle TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Richard O'Donoghue TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Danny Healy-Rae TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Peter Fitzpatrick TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Gino Kenny TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Carol Nolan TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)