Safetynet Primary Care

Lobbying Organisation Safetynet Primary Care

Date published 17 Jun, 2026

Relevant Matter Legislation

Public Policy Area Health

Period 1 Jan. 2026 to 30 Apr. 2026

Specific Details Safetynet Primary Care engaged members of the Oireachtas during passage of the International Protection Bill 2026, advocating for healthcare amendments. As the only healthcare provider to give evidence at pre-legislative scrutiny, Safetynet sought to restore provisions unanimously adopted by the Joint Committee on Justice, Home Affairs and Migration but omitted from the published Bill, covering consent, deportation, accommodation transfers, detention, and medico-legal assessment.

Intended results That the International Protection Bill 2026 be amended to: require informed consent before medical information is shared (Head 18(5)); guarantee continued healthcare access for persons subject to deportation orders; protect medical care continuity during accommodation transfers; establish minimum healthcare standards for detention facilities; establish a State-funded Istanbul Protocol-compliant medico-legal assessment service; and define acute and essential medical care.

Name of person primarily responsible for lobbying on this activity Nicola Perry; Kristy Hayes

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.

Meeting (2-5)

Meetings held with members of the Oireachtas to discuss Safetynet Primary Care's position on key provisions of the International Protection Bill 2026.

Email (6-10)

Correspondence with members of the Dáil and Seanad providing briefing materials and proposed amendment wording in respect of the International Protection Bill 2026.

Submission (2-5)

Written briefing setting out proposed amendments to the International Protection Bill 2026, circulated to members of the Oireachtas Seanad.

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)

Gary Gannon TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Michael McDowell Senator (Seanad)

Robbie Gallagher Senator (Seanad)

Garret Kelleher Senator (Seanad)

Anne Rabbitte Senator (Seanad)

Aubrey McCarthy Senator (Seanad)

Lynn Ruane Senator (Seanad)