Overwatch Report

Epilepsy Ireland

May–August

[Health] Seeking that the Minister submit a PQ about paediatric epilepsy services at University Hospital Limerick

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Niall Collins', 'role': 'Minister of State (Department of Further and Higher Education, Innovation and Science)'}

Epilepsy Ireland

May–August

[Health] Informing sitting councillors in the Galway, Mayo and Roscommon Local Authorities about Epilepsy Ireland's funding shortfall in CHO2 and the work we carry out in the area

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Email All Local Authority Members', 'role': 'Emailed all Councillors in the Roscommon, Galway, Galway City and Mayo areas.'}

Epilepsy Ireland

May–August

[Health] Raising the implementation of the World Health Organisation Global Action Plan on Epilepsy with candidates in the European Elections

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Barry Andrews', 'role': 'MEP (European Parliament)'} {'name': 'Niall Blaney', 'role': 'Senator (Seanad)'} {'name': 'Lisa Chambers', 'role': 'Senator (Seanad)'} {'name': 'Barry Cowen', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Billy Kelleher', 'role': 'MEP (European Parliament)'} {'name': 'Daithí Doolan', 'role': 'Councillor (Dublin City Council)'} + 16 more

Epilepsy Ireland

September–December

[Health] Seeking an update on the status of the reimbursement of the anti-seizure medication FINTEPLA.

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Patrick Costello', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'}

Epilepsy Ireland

September–December

[Health] Writing to Minister for Health and all TDs and Senators to raise awareness of SUDEP Action Day 2024 and providing details of a new Irish study on the prevalence of SUDEP in Ireland.

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Email All Oireachtas Members', 'role': 'Emailed all Oireachtas members in the lead-up to and on SUDEP Action Day to provide details on SUDEP Action Day, the study and our calls for a national Strategy to reduce epilepsy-related deaths.'} {'name': 'Stephen Donnelly', 'role': 'Minister (Department of Health)'} {'name': "Fiona O'Loughlin", 'role': 'Senator (Seanad)'} {'name': 'Mark Wall', 'role': 'Senator (Seanad)'} {'name': 'Maria Byrne', 'role': 'Senator (Seanad)'}

Epilepsy Ireland

September–December

[Social Protection] Thanking Minister for her work on new Free Travel scheme following announcement of her retirement.

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Heather Humphreys', 'role': 'Minister (Department of Social Protection)'}

Epilepsy Ireland

September–December

[Transport] Sharing a copy of correspondence received from the Road Safety Authority following a recent advertising campaign as the Deputy had also spoken publicly on the matter.

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Neasa Hourigan', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'}

Epilepsy Ireland

September–December

[Health] Contacted all current Mayors of local authorities asking that they submit a motion in support of International Epilepsy Day to recognise all those living with epilepsy within their communities and calling on the Government to commit to implementing the World Health Organisation Intersectoral Global Action Plan on Epilepsy and other neurological conditions.

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Niamh Kennedy', 'role': 'Councillor (Donegal County Council)'} {'name': 'Kevin Callan', 'role': 'Councillor (Louth County council)'} {'name': 'Peter Conlan', 'role': 'Councillor (Monaghan County Council)'} {'name': "TP O'Reilly", 'role': 'Councillor (Cavan County Council)'} {'name': "Paddy O'Rourke", 'role': 'Councillor (Leitrim County Council)'} {'name': 'Declan Bree', 'role': 'Councillor (Sligo County Council)'} + 25 more

Epilepsy Ireland

September–December

[Health] Contacted listed DPOs in their capacity as General Election Candidates to support EI's advocacy campaigns if elected to the next Dáil

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Cathy Bennett', 'role': 'Councillor (Monaghan County Council)'} {'name': 'Joe Cooney', 'role': 'Councillor (Clare County Council)'} {'name': 'Peter Cleere', 'role': 'Councillor (Kilkenny County Council)'} {'name': 'David Fitzgerald', 'role': 'Councillor (Kilkenny County Council)'} {'name': 'Michael Doyle', 'role': 'Councillor (Kilkenny County Council)'} {'name': 'Seán Ó hArgáin', 'role': 'Councillor (Kilkenny County Council)'} + 212 more

Epilepsy Ireland

January–April

[Education and Training] Seeking that provision be made for students with epilepsy who have a seizure during their exams to have access to a deferred sitting of the Leaving Cert exams

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': "Fiona O'Loughlin", 'role': 'Senator (Seanad)'} {'name': 'Gary Gannon', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Patrick Costello', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Norma Foley', 'role': 'Minister (Department of Education)'} {'name': 'Andrea Feeney', 'role': 'Chief Executive Officer (The State Examinations Commission)'} {'name': 'Aodhán Ó Ríordáin', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} + 4 more

Epilepsy Ireland

January–April

[Health] Informing members of the Oireachtas about Epilepsy Ireland's International Epilepsy Day awareness campaign.

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Email All Oireachtas Members', 'role': 'All Oireachtas members were contacted with diary notice, specific information on prevalence of epilepsy within their constituencies and a request to share a message of support on the day.'}

Epilepsy Ireland

January–April

[Social Protection] Seeking progress on our campaign to improve access to the Free Travel scheme for people with epilepsy.

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': "Fiona O'Loughlin", 'role': 'Senator (Seanad)'} {'name': 'Maura Bell', 'role': 'Councillor (Wexford County Council)'} {'name': 'Claire Kerrane', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Heather Humphreys', 'role': 'Minister (Department of Social Protection)'} {'name': 'Denis Naughten', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Marc Ó Cathasaigh', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} + 17 more

Epilepsy Ireland

January–April

[Health] Discussed the WHO Global Action Plan on Epilepsy & Other Neurological Conditions (IGAP)

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': "Fiona O'Loughlin", 'role': 'Senator (Seanad)'}

Epilepsy Ireland

May–August

[Justice and Equality] Contacting all TDs & Senators around the impact the proposed Gambling Regulation Bill will have on charities like Epilepsy Ireland

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Email All Oireachtas Members', 'role': 'Wrote to all Oir members on the above; exchanged emails following their representations and further responses.'}

Epilepsy Ireland

May–August

[Health] Updating all TDs and Senators on the announcement of the Sodium Valproate Inquiry, our position on same and thanking them for their support to achieving this announcement.

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Email All Oireachtas Members', 'role': "Sent mail outlining Minister's announcement and EI/ OACS joint statement regarding establishment of the inquiry."} {'name': 'Patrick Costello', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'}

Epilepsy Ireland

May–August

[Social Protection] Seeking that Ministers, TDs and Senators support our campaign around improving access to the Free Travel scheme for people with epilepsy.

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Aindrias Moynihan', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Erin McGreehan', 'role': 'Senator (Seanad)'} {'name': 'Gary Gannon', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Seán Sherlock', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Mark Wall', 'role': 'Senator (Seanad)'} + 17 more

Epilepsy Ireland

May–August

[Health] Seeking details on the Government's plans to implement vision of the WHO's Intersectoral Global Action Plan (IGAP) on epilepsy in Ireland.

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Leo Varadkar', 'role': 'Taoiseach (Department of the Taoiseach)'} {'name': 'Micheál Martin', 'role': 'Tánaiste and Minister (Department of Foreign Affairs)'} {'name': 'Eamon Ryan', 'role': 'Minister (Department of Environment, Climate and Communications)'} {'name': 'Stephen Donnelly', 'role': 'Minister (Department of Health)'}

Epilepsy Ireland

May–August

[Education and Training] Seeking the Deputy ask a question on information surrounding the deferred sitting of Leaving Cert exams.

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': "Jennifer Murnane O'Connor", 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'}

Epilepsy Ireland

May–August

[Health] Seeking PQ be asked on numbers of people using Ministerial Licensing Route and Medical Cannabis Access Programme

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Róisín Shorthall', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'}

Epilepsy Ireland

May–August

[Health] Seeking the Deputy ask PQ around epilepsy services staffing numbers and on commitments for further staff.

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'David Cullinane', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'}

Epilepsy Ireland

May–August

[Health] Invited Minister for Health to speak at public session at the International Epilepsy Congress in Dublin

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Stephen Donnelly', 'role': 'Minister (Department of Health)'}

Epilepsy Ireland

September–December

[Health] Seeking response to PQs on epilepsy services

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'David Cullinane', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'}

Epilepsy Ireland

September–December

[Social Protection] Advocating for changes to the Department's Free Travel scheme.

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Email All Oireachtas Members', 'role': 'Emailed all members of the Oireachtas regarding the budget announcement of improved access to the Free Travel scheme on 10.10.23'} {'name': 'Pauric McPhillips', 'role': 'Special Adviser (Department of Social Protection)'} {'name': 'Heather Humphreys', 'role': 'Minister (Department of Social Protection)'} {'name': 'David Cullinane', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Denis Naughten', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} + 12 more

Epilepsy Ireland

September–December

[Health] Informing members of the Oireachtas about our plans to seek a National Strategy to reduce epilepsy deaths.

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Email All Oireachtas Members', 'role': 'Emailed all members of the Oireachtas with information on our plans and why we need a national strategy.'}

Epilepsy Ireland

September–December

[Health] Seeking a PQ be submitted for information on the Chronic Disease Management Programme.

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Róisín Shorthall', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'}

Epilepsy Ireland

September–December

[Health] Providing update/seeking update on Sodium Valproate Inquiry

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Rose Conway-Walsh', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Stephen Donnelly', 'role': 'Minister (Department of Health)'} {'name': 'Muiris O’Connor', 'role': 'Assistant Secretary (Department of Health)'}

Epilepsy Ireland

January–April

[Health] Seeking Ministers, Deputies and Senators share messages of support for International Epilepsy Day and raise awareness of the condition

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Email All Oireachtas Members', 'role': 'Sent TDs and Senators individual messages about International Epilepsy Day, figures on the numbers of people with epilepsy within their counties and a draft message of support they could share.'} {'name': 'Diarmuid Lynch', 'role': 'Special Adviser (Department of the Taoiseach)'} {'name': 'Susan Mitchell', 'role': 'Special Adviser (Department of Health)'} {'name': 'Philip O’Callaghan', 'role': 'Special Adviser (Department of the Taoiseach)'}

Epilepsy Ireland

January–April

[Health] Raising paediatric neurology staffing issues at Limerick University Hospital

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Brian Leddin', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': "Willie O'Dea", 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': "Kieran O'Donnell", 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Maurice Quinlivan', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Niall Collins', 'role': 'Minister of State (Department of Further and Higher Education, Innovation and Science)'} {'name': "Richard O'Donoghue", 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} + 3 more

Epilepsy Ireland

January–April

[Education and Training] The proposed First Aid & Mental Health in Schools Bill 2018 & its relevance to epilepsy/ training in administration of emergency medications

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Robbie Gallagher', 'role': 'Senator (Seanad)'} {'name': 'Diarmuid Wilson', 'role': 'Senator (Seanad)'}

Epilepsy Ireland

January–April

[Health] The status of funding for outstanding Epilepsy Nurse Specialists committed to in 2018

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Róisín Shorthall', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'}

Lobbying Tracker

Most Lobbied TDs