Overwatch Report

Alcohol Forum Ireland

September–December

[Health] Participation in a review of supports for and funding of alcohol and drug support services in Cavan and Monaghan led by the Cavan Drug and Alcohol Forum.

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Niall Smith', 'role': 'Councillor (Cavan County Council)'}

Alcohol Forum Ireland

September–December

[Health] To ensure meaningful inclusion of alcohol as a policy priority within the new National Drug Strategy.

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Email All Oireachtas Members', 'role': 'Several written communications to all Oireachtas members regarding the key concerns and recommendations of the Coalition for Better Alcohol Policy. These communications were sent from Alcohol Forum Ireland, from the Irish Community Action on Alcohol Network and from several member organisations of the Coalition for Better Alcohol Policy.'} {'name': 'Pádraig Rice', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Catherine Ardagh', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Marie Sherlock', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Aubrey McCarthy', 'role': 'Senator (Seanad)'} {'name': 'Colm Burke', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} + 11 more

Alcohol Forum Ireland

January–April

[Health] Advocacy regarding the deficit in core funding for Alcohol Forum Ireland to operate an under 18s alcohol and drug service in Cavan and Monaghan

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Matt Carthy', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'}

Alcohol Forum Ireland

January–April

[Health] Signatory to a number of letters calling on Government to commit to the introduction of alcohol health labelling as provided for in legislation, through the provisions of the Public Health Alcohol Act

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Micheál Martin', 'role': 'An Taoiseach (Department of the Taoiseach)'} {'name': 'Simon Harris', 'role': 'Tánaiste and Minister (Department of Foreign Affairs)'} {'name': 'Jennifer Carroll MacNeill', 'role': 'Minister (Department of Health)'} {'name': 'Professor Breda Smyth', 'role': 'Chief Medical Officer (Department of Health)'}

Alcohol Forum Ireland

January–April

[Health] National Drug Strategy

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': "Jennifer Murnane O'Connor", 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Jennifer Carroll MacNeill', 'role': 'Minister (Department of Health)'}

Alcohol Forum Ireland

May–August

[Health] Campaign to ensure that alcohol is meaningfully included as a priority in the new National Drugs Strategy in development in the Department of Health

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Letter All Oireachtas Members', 'role': "Letter and briefing document circulated to all Oireachtas members seeking support for the Coalition for Better Alcohol Policy's campaign to ensure meaningful inclusion of alcohol as a named priority in the new national drugs strategy."} {'name': 'Paul McAuliffe', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Sinéad Gibney', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Aubrey McCarthy', 'role': 'Senator (Seanad)'} {'name': 'Patricia Stephenson', 'role': 'Senator (Seanad)'} {'name': 'Jennifer Carroll MacNeill', 'role': 'Minister (Department of Health)'} + 6 more

Alcohol Forum Ireland

May–August

[Health] To raise concerns and recommendations in response to Revision 3 of the Political Declaration for the 2025 United Nations High-Level Meeting on the Prevention and Control of Noncommunicable Diseases and the Promotion of Mental Health, on which silence has been broken.

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Simon Harris', 'role': 'Tánaiste and Minister (Department of Foreign Affairs)'} {'name': 'Jennifer Carroll MacNeill', 'role': 'Minister (Department of Health)'}

Alcohol Forum Ireland

January–April

[Health] Seeking advice and clarity on the current policy position of the HSE with regard to step down facilities (nursing home or community hospital) for people under 65 with an acquired brain injury given lack of any appropriate rehabilitation and support services.

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Padráig Mac Lochlainn', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'}

Alcohol Forum Ireland

January–April

[Justice and Equality] Advocacy with elected representatives seeking changes to the proposed Intoxicating Liquor Bill (2024)

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Leo Varadkar', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Micheál Martin', 'role': 'Taoiseach (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Eamon Ryan', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Marian Harkin', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Frank Feighan', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Martin Kenny', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} + 73 more

Alcohol Forum Ireland

May–August

[Health] Submission of a business case to Minister Heather Humphreys seeking funding crucial to the continued operation of an under 18s addiction service in Cavan and Monaghan from the beginning of 2025.

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Heather Humphreys', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Colm Burke', 'role': 'Minister of State (Department of Health)'}

Alcohol Forum Ireland

September–December

[Justice and Equality] To seek political support for changes to better provide for regulation of under 18s events on licensed premises in Ireland through amendments to the Sale of Alcohol Bill

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Matt Carthy', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Heather Humphreys', 'role': 'Minister (Department of Rural and Community Development)'} {'name': 'Brendan Smith', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Niamh Smyth', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Pauline Tully', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': "Joe O'Reilly", 'role': 'Senator (Seanad)'} + 9 more

Alcohol Forum Ireland

September–December

[Health] Advocacy with an elected representative regarding lack of any residential rehabilitation for people with a presumptive diagnosis of alcohol related brain injury on release from hospital

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Padráig Mac Lochlainn', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'}

Alcohol Forum Ireland

September–December

[Justice and Equality] Sale of Alcohol Bill

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Colm Burke', 'role': 'Minister of State (Department of Health)'}

Alcohol Forum Ireland

September–December

[Health] Advocacy with the Minister for Health to extend the restrictions on alcohol advertising to include zero alcohol products

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Heather Humphreys', 'role': 'Minister (Department of Rural and Community Development)'} {'name': 'Stephen Donnelly', 'role': 'Minister (Department of Health)'}

Alcohol Forum Ireland

January–April

[Justice and Equality] Community campaign to seek changes to the provisions of the Sale of Alcohol Bill (2023) to protect health, well being and strengthen the protections on children's rights.

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Letter All Oireachtas Members', 'role': "Campaign letter sent to all Oireachtas members regarding concerns relating to the provisions of the Sale of Alcohol Bill (2022), outlining concerns around potential risks and impacts on public health, well being, safety and children's rights."} {'name': 'Email All Oireachtas Members', 'role': 'Invitation sent to all Oireachtas members in April for a campaign event scheduled for May 9th, an in person briefing and launch of a cost benefit analysis report on the Sale of Alcohol Bill by global alcohol policy expert, Professor Tom Babor completed as part of ongoing collaboration between Prof Babor, AFI and ICAAN.'} {'name': 'Mary Seery Kearney', 'role': 'Senator (Seanad)'} {'name': 'Thomas Pringle', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Thomas Gould', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Frances Black', 'role': 'Senator (Seanad)'} + 15 more

Alcohol Forum Ireland

May–August

[Justice and Equality] Community campaign to seek changes to the provisions of the Sale of Alcohol Bill (2023) to protect health, well being and strengthen the protections on children's rights.

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Email All Oireachtas Members', 'role': "15 Ministers, 145 TDs and 60 Senators were invited to the Launch of New expert report on the potential impacts of the Sale of Alcohol Bill on Children's Rights. Launch event takes place October 20th. Communication raised need for amendments to the Sale of Alcohol Bill."} {'name': 'Email All Oireachtas Members', 'role': "Invitation to launch of Prof. Tom Babor's report 'Costs and Benefits of the Sale of Alcohol Bill (2023)' which took place in Dublin on May 9th"} {'name': 'Email All Oireachtas Members', 'role': "Copy of Prof. Tom Babor's report 'Costs and Benefits of the Sale of Alcohol Bill (2023) sent to all Oireachtas members week after launch of report on May 9th."} {'name': 'Email All Oireachtas Members', 'role': 'Invitation to the upcoming launch of the second expert report produced by AFI and ICAAN on the Sale of Alcohol Bill. Launch of report by Ass. Professor Ollie Bartlett focuses on the risks to children associated with the provisions of the Sale of Alcohol Bill. Report launch will take place in October.'} {'name': 'Róisín Shorthall', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Charlie McConalogue', 'role': 'Minister (Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine)'} + 3 more

Alcohol Forum Ireland

September–December

[Health] Invitation to all Oireachtas members regarding a new publication on Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder. Communication sought improved health and children's services response to FASD

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Email All Oireachtas Members', 'role': 'Email sent to all Oireachtas representatives together with link to the newly published report by TCD on FASD caregivers in Ireland.'}

Alcohol Forum Ireland

September–December

[Education and Training] Concern regarding possible conflict of interest issues relating to the involvement of gambling industry funded charity, the Gambling Awareness Trust in funding activities in Irish health and education settings (both secondary and third level)

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Roisin Shortall (Former DPO)', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Mary Seery Kearney', 'role': 'Senator (Seanad)'} {'name': 'Mark Wall', 'role': 'Senator (Seanad)'} {'name': 'Thomas Pringle', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Thomas Gould', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Charlie McConalogue', 'role': 'Minister (Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine)'} + 3 more

Alcohol Forum Ireland

September–December

[Justice and Equality] Launch of The Sale of Alcohol Bill (2022): An analysis of children’s rights impacts by Dr. Ollie Bartlett in Maynooth University. All members of the Oireachtas invited to this. Justice Paul Kelly was guest speaker.

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Email All Oireachtas Members', 'role': 'Emails sent to all Oireachtas members in relation to the launch. Invitation sent. \nFollow up email sent to all Oireachtas members with a link to the new report by Dr Bartlett'} {'name': 'Aidan Davitt', 'role': 'Senator (Seanad)'} {'name': 'Aisling Dolan', 'role': 'Senator (Seanad)'} {'name': 'Alice-Mary Higgins', 'role': 'Senator (Seanad)'} {'name': 'Annie Hoey', 'role': 'Senator (Seanad)'} {'name': 'Barry Ward', 'role': 'Senator (Seanad)'} + 57 more

Alcohol Forum Ireland

January–April

[Justice and Equality] Proposed Sale of Alcohol Bill

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Róisín Shorthall', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Mary Seery Kearney', 'role': 'Senator (Seanad)'}

Alcohol Forum Ireland

September–December

[Education and Training] Community campaign to ensure that schools based prevention on alcohol and other drugs is free from alcohol industry influence and funding

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Roisin Shortall (Former DPO)', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Mary Seery Kearney (Former DPO)', 'role': 'Senator (Seanad)'} {'name': 'Thomas Gould (Former DPO)', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Michael Lowry (Former DPO)', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Email All Oireachtas Members', 'role': 'Prepared and circulated a campaign resource to all Oireachtas members in October 2022 to highlight the campaign aims, and ask Oireachtas members to raise the matter with the relevant Ministers and also to sign the campaign petition.'} {'name': 'Thomas Pringle', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} + 176 more

Alcohol Forum Ireland

January–April

[Health] Submission on the review of the national drug strategy

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Frank Feighan', 'role': 'Minister of State (Department of Health)'}

Alcohol Forum Ireland

January–April

[Justice and Equality] Regional briefings in collaboration with ICANN and Drug and Alcohol Task Forces, on Deliver Change on Drink Deliveries campaign.

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Frank Feighan', 'role': 'Minister of State (Department of Health)'} {'name': 'Pearse Doherty', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Thomas Pringle', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Helen McEntee', 'role': 'Minister (Department of Justice and Equality)'} {'name': 'Thomas Byrne', 'role': 'Minister of State (Department of the Taoiseach)'} {'name': 'Ged Nash', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} + 9 more

Alcohol Forum Ireland

May–August

[Justice and Equality] Briefing and follow up communications in relation to Deliver Change on Drink Deliveries campaign.

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Frances Black', 'role': 'Senator (Seanad)'} {'name': 'Mary Seery Kearney', 'role': 'Senator (Seanad)'} {'name': 'Charlie McConalogue', 'role': 'Minister (Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine)'} {'name': 'Thomas Gould', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Colm Burke', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'}

Alcohol Forum Ireland

May–August

[Health] Submission on the review of the national drug strategy

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Frank Feighan', 'role': 'Minister of State (Department of Health)'}

Alcohol Forum Ireland

May–August

[Health] • Development and dissemination of a Deliver Change Campaign resource to all 160 Oireachtas members, asking members to support the campaign and its core aims

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Letter All Oireachtas Members', 'role': ''}

Alcohol Forum Ireland

September–December

[Health] briefing document on Alcohol Related Brain Injuury for the purposes of advocating for the development of specialist services for ARBI

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Aisling Dolan', 'role': 'Senator (Seanad)'}

Alcohol Forum Ireland

September–December

[Justice and Equality] Proposed Sale of Alcohol Bill

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Letter All Oireachtas Members', 'role': 'Letter to all Oireachtas members calling on the Government to regulate drink delivery services in upcoming Sale of Alcohol Bill'} {'name': 'Charlie McConalogue', 'role': 'Minister (Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine)'} {'name': 'Frank Feighan', 'role': 'Minister of State (Department of Health)'} {'name': 'Róisín Shorthall', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Colm Burke', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'}

Alcohol Forum Ireland

May–August

[Health] Seeking a briefing meeting with the Minister in relation to Alcohol and other drug issues.

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Frank Feighan', 'role': 'Minister of State (Department of Health)'}

Alcohol Forum Ireland

May–August

[Justice and Equality] The particular matter in question relates to an Alcohol Forum led campaign, ‘Deliver Change on Drink Deliveries’ calling on Government to introduce legislation to close a number of legal loopholes and allow for greater regulation of and enforcement powers with respect to the operation and predicted growth of drink delivery services.

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Email All Oireachtas Members', 'role': '1 Campaign resource\n\n 1 written communication sent by email explaining the aims of and need for the proposed legislative changes and seeking their support. \n\n· 1 newsletter including a campaigning message in relation to the Deliver Change on Drink Deliveries campaign\n. Follow up emails .'}

Lobbying Tracker

Most Lobbied TDs