Irish Penal Reform Trust

Lobbying Organisation Irish Penal Reform Trust

Date published 20 May, 2025

Relevant Matter Public policy or programme

Public Policy Area Justice and Equality

Period 1 Jan, 2025 to 30 Apr, 2025

Specific Details IPRT letter to Minister for Justice on Priorities for 2025

Intended results Progress legislation for increased use of community-based sanctions, prioritise the passage of the Inspection of Places of Detention Bill, implement the recommendations of the High Level Taskforce on Mental Health and Addiction, implement recommendations of Oireachtas Joint Committee on Drugs Use and establish the Penal Consultative Council. Also invited Minister to give a keynote address at IPRT 30 year anniversary event and sought a meeting to discuss priorities in more detail.

Name of person primarily responsible for lobbying on this activity Saoirse Brady

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)

Letter sent by email on 7 February 2025

Event / Reception (1)

Minister gave keynote address at IPRT 30 year anniversary event

Informal communication (1)

Executive Director met Oonagh McPhillips at seminar and spoke with her beforehand about asking Minister to speak at IPRT event.

Informal communication (1)

Executive Director asked Ben Ryan before IPRT event about status of Inspection of Places of Detention Bill and asked that the Minister is urged to prioritise it.

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.

Jim O'Callaghan Minister (Department of Justice)

Oonagh McPhillips Secretary General (Department of Justice)

Ben Ryan Assistant Secretary (Department of Justice)