The Psychological Society of Ireland (The Psychological Society of Ireland)

Lobbying Organisation The Psychological Society of Ireland

Date published 19 Aug, 2026

Relevant Matter Legislation

Public Policy Area Health

Period 1 May. 2026 to 31 Aug. 2026

Specific Details Joint written feedback with the Irish Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy and the College of Psychiatrists of Ireland to Sorca Clarke TD on the draft Bill on the use of artificial intelligence in the provision of mental health and therapeutic services.

Intended results To influence the development of the proposed legislation to ensure that AI cannot substitute for appropriately qualified professionals in the provision of mental health and therapeutic services, while establishing proportionate safeguards and regulatory oversight that protect the public, clearly define the scope of regulated AI use, and allow for appropriate education, training and responsible innovation.

Name of person primarily responsible for lobbying on this activity Kennedy Fiorella, PSI Policy & Advocacy Manager

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.

Email (2-5)

oint written feedback provided to Sorca Clarke TD on the draft Bill concerning AI therapy, with recommendations intended to strengthen definitions, safeguards and regulatory provisions and ensure that the legislation protects against AI replacing professional mental health and therapeutic services without unnecessarily restricting appropriate uses of AI.

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.

Sorca Clarke TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)