National Infertility Support and Information Group

Lobbying Organisation National Infertility Support and Information Group

Date published 20 May, 2022

Relevant Matter Legislation

Public Policy Area Health

Period 1 Jan, 2022 to 30 Apr, 2022

Specific Details NISIG is the only Irish charity supporting and advocacy on behalf of those experiencing fertility issues. NISIG is part of a broader AHR Coalition Group comprising LGBT Ireland, 221 Plus group, Equality for Children, Rainbow Families Equality Network, Irish Families Through Surrogacy, Irish Gay Dads & Independent Living. The main aim of the coalition is to ensure that equality is secured, and the human rights of children conceived using AHR, their intended parents and families are protected and

Intended results NISIG as part of a broader AHR Coalition Group, wanted to meet a number of DPO's to outline their collective members concerns relating to a number of areas in the upcoming Assisted Human Reproduction legislation including the need for adequate public funding, the inclusion of international surrogacy as part of the upcoming legislation and the speed at which the measures are going to implemented.

Name of person primarily responsible for lobbying on this activity Catriona Fitzpatrick

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?) Yes

Current or Former Designated Public Official(s)

Catriona Fitzpatrick (Former DPO) Special Adviser (Department of Foreign Affairs)

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.

Phone call (2-5)

NISIG contacted Fiach Kelly(Special Advisor to Minister McEntee) as part of our remit as a representative group to outline members concerns relating to a number of areas in the upcoming AHR legislation including public funding, international surrogacy and the speed at which the measures are going to implemented.

Phone call (1)

NISIG contacted Grainne Weld (Special Advisor to an Taoiseach) as part of our remit as a representative group to outline members concerns relating to a number of areas in the upcoming AHR legislation including public funding, international surrogacy and the speed at which the measures are going to implemented.

Email (2-5)

Phone call (2-5)

NISIG contacted Siobhan Russell - Special advisor as part of our remit as a representative group to outline members concerns relating to a number of areas in the upcoming AHR legislation including public funding, international surrogacy and the speed at which the measures are going to implemented.

Email (2-5)

Phone call (1)

NISIG contacted Nease Hourican TD as part of our remit as a representative group to outline members concerns relating to a number of areas in the upcoming AHR legislation including public funding, international surrogacy and the speed at which the measures are going to implemented.

Phone call (1)

NISIG contacted Neale Richmond TD as part of our remit as a representative group to outline members concerns relating to a number of areas in the upcoming AHR legislation including public funding, international surrogacy and the speed at which the measures are going to implemented.

Phone call (2-5)

NISIG contacted Mary Seery Kearney Senator as part of our remit as a representative group to outline members concerns relating to a number of areas in the upcoming AHR legislation including public funding, international surrogacy and the speed at which the measures are going to implemented.

Email (1)

NISIG contacted Catherine Ardagh Senator as part of our remit as a representative group to outline members concerns relating to a number of areas in the upcoming AHR legislation including public funding, international surrogacy and the speed at which the measures are going to implemented.

Email (1)

NISIG contacted Lisa Chambers Senator as part of our remit as a representative group to outline members concerns relating to a number of areas in the upcoming AHR legislation including public funding, international surrogacy and the speed at which the measures are going to implemented.

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.

Fiach Kelly Special Adviser (Department of Justice)

Gráinne Weld Special Adviser (Department of the Taoiseach)

Neasa Hourigan TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Mary Seery Kearney Senator (Seanad)

Lisa Chambers Senator (Seanad)

Catherine Ardagh Senator (Seanad)

Neale Richmond TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)