Fighting Blindness

Lobbying Organisation Fighting Blindness

Date published 19 May, 2020

Relevant Matter Public policy or programme

Public Policy Area Health

Period 1 Jan, 2020 to 30 Apr, 2020

Specific Details Fighting Blindness launched a manifesto to reduce ophthalmology waiting lists, gain access to gene therapies, gain access to genetic coding and offset some of the wellbeing costs of living with inherited retinal degeneration [IRD].

Intended results To gain support from newly elected political representatives for our campaign of reducing waiting lists and access to gene therapy for those living with inherited retinal degeneration [IRD] To influence public policy in the area of disability welfare.

Name of person primarily responsible for lobbying on this activity Kevin Whelan, CEO, Fighting Blindness.

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 (11-20)

"We are continuing our campaign by taking our core demands to the public on 11 March. Three of the four demands relate to waiting for eye care, genetic diagnosis or gene therapy. But ‘our world grows darker by the day’ so ‘we can’t wait’ for a new programme for Government. If a cure is waiting, we shouldn’t be. As we are awaiting a new government , I’m not sure of whether you will be able to join us, but if there is anything you can do to support us we would be most grateful.

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 Conway Senator (Seanad)

Ged Nash TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Gino Kenny TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Robert Troy TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Louise O'Reilly TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Neasa Hourigan TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)