National Infertility Support and Information Group

Lobbying Organisation National Infertility Support and Information Group

Date published 21 Sep, 2022

Relevant Matter Legislation

Public Policy Area Health

Period 1 May, 2022 to 31 Aug, 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 Gay Dads & Independent Living. 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 advanced in legislation and policy.

Intended results NISIG as part of a broader AHR Coalition Group, wanted to contact with a view to meeting 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 AHR 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

Mass communications

Email All Oireachtas Members NISIG emailed (with attached letter) all members of the Oireachtas, TD's & Senators our 2022 pre-budget submission in relation to the upcoming AHR Legislation. Two key asks in the pre-budget submission included a call for the Provision for State IVF funding in line with the health (Assisted Human Reproduction) Bill 2022 and a model of treatment whereby private clinics can provide State funded treatment until such time whereby publicly funded fertility treatment is available in public health care settings.

Lobbying activity

The following activities occurred for this specific Subject Matter Area.

Email (1)

NISIG contacted Colm Burke TD, (email with attached letter) 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 desperate need for public funding, international surrogacy and the speed at which the measures are going to implemented.

Email (1)

NISIG contacted Senator Catherine Ardagh, (email with attached letter) 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 desperate need for public funding, international surrogacy and the speed at which the measures are going to implemented.

Email (1)

NISIG contacted Senator Regina O' Doherty, (email with attached letter) 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 desperate need for 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 Senator Garett Ahern 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)

Phone call (2-5)

NISIG contacted Paraic Gallagher (Special Adviser (Communications) at Minister for Health) 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 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

Meeting (1)

NISIG met with Minister for Justice Helen 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

Meeting (1)

NISIG met with Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth of Ireland Roderic O Gorman, as part of our remit as a representative group to outline members Siobhan Russell 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 Senator Lisa Chambers, 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)

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.

Meeting (1)

NISIG met with Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly, 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

Meeting (2-5)

NISIG met with Senator Mary Seery Kearney , 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.

Colm Burke TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Catherine Ardagh Senator (Seanad)

Regina Doherty Senator (Seanad)

Neale Richmond TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Garrett Ahern Senator (Seanad)

Paraic Gallagher Special Adviser (Department of Health)

Mary Seery Kearney Senator (Seanad)

Fiach Kelly Special Adviser (Department of Justice)

Helen McEntee Minister (Department of Justice)

Roderic O'Gorman Minister (Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth)

Lisa Chambers Senator (Seanad)

Stephen Donnelly Minister (Department of Health)