National Infertility Support and Information Group

Lobbying Organisation National Infertility Support and Information Group

Date published 20 Jan, 2023

Relevant Matter Legislation

Public Policy Area Health

Period 1 Sep, 2022 to 31 Dec, 2022

Specific Details NISIG is the only Irish charity supporting and advocating on behalf of those experiencing fertility issues. NISIG is part of a broader AHR Coalition Group comprising LGBT Ireland, Equality for Children, Irish Gay Dads, Irish Families through Surrogacy & Independent Living Movement. 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 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 across 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 thing 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

Lobbying activity

The following activities occurred for this specific Subject Matter Area.

Email (2-5)

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. In addition we wanted to discuss the current & future resourcing of the Fertility Hubs.

Email (2-5)

NISIG contacted Padraig 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 (2-5)

NISIG spoke with Padraig 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.

Meeting (1)

NISIG met with Padraig 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.

Email (1)

NISIG emailed 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.

Email (1)

NISIG emailed 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.

Phone call (1)

NISIG spoke with 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.

Virtual Meeting (2-5)

NISIG met with Senator Mary Seery Kearney virtually in relation to the Joint Committee on International Surrogacy recommendations' regarding International Surrogacy as published in July 2023.

Email (1)

NISIG emailed Senator Mary Seery Kearney in relation to the Joint Committee on International Surrogacy recommendations' regarding International Surrogacy as published in July 2023.

Virtual Meeting (1)

NISIG met with Colm Burke TD virtually 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. In addition we wanted to discuss the current & future resourcing of the Fertility Hubs.

Meeting (1)

NISIG met with Frances Fitzgerald (MEP European Parliament) in person 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 (2-5)

NISIG contacted Frances Fitzgerald (MEP European Parliament) 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.

Virtual Meeting (1)

NISIG met with Barry Andrews (MEP European Parliament) virtually 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 (2-5)

NISIG contacted Barry Andrews (MEP European Parliament) 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 (2-5)

NISIG contacted Billy Kellegher (MEP European Parliament) 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.

Virtual Meeting (1)

NISIG met Billy Kellegher (MEP European Parliament) virtually 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. As part of this virtual meeting a NISIG member spoke about the need for public funding from their own personal experience.

Meeting (1)

NISIG met with Minister of Health Stephen Donnelly in person 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 (2-5)

NISIG contacted Minister of 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 desperate need for public funding, international surrogacy and the speed at which the measures are going to implemented.

Event / Reception (1)

NISIG invited Minister of Health Stephen Donnelly to attend an event to mark European Fertility week to raise awareness of issues around infertility - specifically to highlight the need for equal, fair and safe access to fertility treatment. The event took place on November the 8th in Dublin and was attended by NISIG Committee, sponsors and friends of NISIG.

Email (1)

NISIG contacted Committee on Health Cathaoirleach Sean Crowe TD to outline NISIG's 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 Committee on Health member Bernard Durkan TD to outline NISIG's 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 Committee on Health member Colm Burke TD to outline NISIG's 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 Committee on Health member Cathal Crowe TD to outline NISIG's 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 Committee on Health member David Cullinane TD to outline NISIG's 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 Committee on Health member Neasa Hourigan TD to outline NISIG's 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 Committee on Health member Gino Kenny TD to outline NISIG's 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 emailed Committee on Health member John Lahart TD to outline NISIG's membership 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 Committee on Health member Roisin Shortall TD to outline NISIG's 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 Committee on Health member Senator Frances Black to outline NISIG's 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 Committee on Health member Senator Lorraine Clifford Lee to outline NISIG's membership 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 Committee on Health member Senator Martin Conway to outline NISIG's 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 Committee on Health member Senator Annie Hoey to outline NISIG's membership 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 Committee on Health member Senator Sean Kyne to outline NISIG's 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 emailed Senator Lisa Chambers with a pre budget submission relating to Budget 2023 specifically highlighting the need for public funding for fertility treatment in Ireland.

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.

Mary Seery Kearney Senator (Seanad)

Stephen Donnelly Minister (Department of Health)

Colm Burke TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Neale Richmond TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Garret Ahearn Senator (Seanad)

Seán Crowe TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Bernard Durkan TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Cathal Crowe TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

David Cullinane TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Neasa Hourigan TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Gino Kenny TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

John Lahart TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Róisín Shorthall TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Frances Black Senator (Seanad)

Lorraine Clifford-Lee Senator (Seanad)

Martin Conway Senator (Seanad)

Annie Hoey Senator (Seanad)

Seán Kyne Senator (Seanad)

Frances Fitzgerald MEP (European Parliament)

Barry Andrews MEP (European Parliament)

Billy Kelleher MEP (European Parliament)

Lisa Chambers Senator (Seanad)