Overwatch Report

Disability Federation of Ireland

January–April

[EU Affairs] Adoption of an EU Accessibility Act to facilitate the enjoyment of the rights of people with disabilities under the UN CRPD, which the EU has ratified.

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Social Media All MEPs', 'role': "2 radio interviews on Dublin City FM's Viva Vox - encouraged people to contact MEPs and Minister for Justice urging support of a strong EU Accessibility Act; urged people to get in touch with their public representatives to raise issues relating to people with disabilities"} {'name': 'Social Media All TDs', 'role': "2 radio interviews on Dublin City FM's Viva Vox - encouraged people to contact MEPs and Minister for Justice urging support of a strong EU Accessibility Act; urged people to get in touch with their public representatives to raise issues relating to people with disabilities"} {'name': 'Social Media All Senators', 'role': "2 radio interviews on Dublin City FM's Viva Vox - encouraged people to contact MEPs and Minister for Justice urging support of a strong EU Accessibility Act; urged people to get in touch with their public representatives to raise issues relating to people with disabilities"} {'name': 'Social Media All Councillors', 'role': "2 radio interviews on Dublin City FM's Viva Vox - encouraged people to contact MEPs and Minister for Justice urging support of a strong EU Accessibility Act; urged people to get in touch with their public representatives to raise issues relating to people with disabilities"} {'name': 'Pat Breen', 'role': 'Minister of State (Department of Business, Enterprise and Innovation)'}

Disability Federation of Ireland

January–April

[Justice and Equality] Consideration through the legislative procedure of overlap between Data Protection Bill and Assisted Decision Making Act.

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'John Dolan', 'role': 'Senator (Seanad)'} {'name': 'Alice-Mary Higgins', 'role': 'Senator (Seanad)'}

Disability Federation of Ireland

January–April

[Justice and Equality] Pushing for ratification of the Optional Protocol to the UN CRPD.

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'John Dolan (Former DPO)', 'role': 'Senator (Seanad)'} {'name': 'John Dolan', 'role': 'Senator (Seanad)'} {'name': 'Tommy Broughan', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': "Louise O'Reilly", 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': "Margaret Murphy O'Mahony", 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} + 20 more

Disability Federation of Ireland

January–April

[Transport] Inclusion of people with disabilities in decision making structures.

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Leo Varadkar', 'role': 'Taoiseach (Department of the Taoiseach)'} {'name': 'Paschal Donohoe', 'role': 'Minister (Department of Public Expenditure and Reform)'} {'name': 'Richard Bruton', 'role': 'Minister (Department of Education and Skills)'} {'name': 'Simon Coveney', 'role': 'Tánaiste and Minister (Department of Foreign Affairs)'} {'name': 'Charles Flanagan', 'role': 'Minister (Department of Justice and Equality)'} {'name': 'Heather Humphreys', 'role': 'Minister (Department of Business, Enterprise and Innovation)'} + 26 more

Disability Federation of Ireland

January–April

[Justice and Equality] Deprivation of liberty of persons with disabilities.

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Charles Flanagan', 'role': 'Minister (Department of Justice and Equality)'} {'name': 'Simon Harris', 'role': 'Minister (Department of Health)'} {'name': 'Finian McGrath', 'role': 'Minister of State (Department of Health)'}

Disability Federation of Ireland

January–April

[Local Government] Proposal to support county council / local authority on disability matters and persons with disabilities in the local authority area.

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Mícheál MacDonncha', 'role': 'Councillor (Dublin City Council)'}

Disability Federation of Ireland

January–April

[Transport] Accessible Public Transport.

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Shane Ross', 'role': 'Minister (Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport)'}

Disability Federation of Ireland

January–April

[Justice and Equality] The Disability (Miscellaneous Provision) Bill 2016.

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Colm Brophy', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Jack Chambers', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Clare Daly', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Alan Farrell', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': "Jim O'Callaghan", 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} + 2 more

Disability Federation of Ireland

January–April

[Local Government] Invitation to all Councillors in Louth to take part in a disability workshop to highlight issues for people with disabilities within the remit of the local authority.

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Email All Councillors', 'role': '1 email was sent to all Louth Councillors with a soft copy letter inviting them to take part in the disability workshop.'}

Disability Federation of Ireland

January–April

[Health] Fetal Valporate Syndrome.

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Email All TDs', 'role': 'Email sent to all TDs with invitation and detail of asks'} {'name': 'Email All Senators', 'role': 'Email sent to all Senators with invitation and detail of asks'} {'name': 'Email All Councillors', 'role': 'Email sent to all city and county councillors with invitation and details of asks'} {'name': 'Michael Harty', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Billy Kelleher', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': "Louise O'Reilly", 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} + 2 more

Disability Federation of Ireland

January–April

[Social Protection] Poverty experienced by people with disabilities.

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Regina Doherty', 'role': 'Minister (Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection)'} {'name': 'Denise Duffy', 'role': 'Special Adviser (Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection)'} {'name': 'John Conlon', 'role': 'Assistant Secretary (Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection)'} {'name': 'Leo Varadkar', 'role': 'Taoiseach (Department of the Taoiseach)'} {'name': 'Paschal Donohoe', 'role': 'Minister (Department of Public Expenditure and Reform)'} {'name': 'Richard Bruton', 'role': 'Minister (Department of Education and Skills)'} + 11 more

Disability Federation of Ireland

January–April

[Community] Request for support for the Make Way Day Campaign.

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Email All Councillors', 'role': '1 email sent to all Cork City Councillors and Cork County Councillors inviting them to support a motion towards the establishment of an annual / national and local Make Way Day'}

Disability Federation of Ireland

January–April

[Justice and Equality] Personal Assistant services for people with disabilities.

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Shane Cassells', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Martin Heydon', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Denise Mitchell', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Dara Murphy', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Eugene Murphy', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Brendan Ryan', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} + 5 more

Disability Federation of Ireland

January–April

[Justice and Equality] Implementation of the UN CRPD; ratifying the Optional Protocol

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'John Dolan (Former DPO)', 'role': 'Senator (Seanad)'} {'name': "Caoimhghín Ó'Caolain (Former DPO)", 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Email All Oireachtas Members', 'role': "2 emails sent to all Oireachtas Members by Ó'Caolain's department regarding presentation / event hosted by the Oireachtas Disability Group Chair and Vice Chair"} {'name': 'John Dolan', 'role': 'Senator (Seanad)'} {'name': 'Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'}

Disability Federation of Ireland

January–April

[Community] Development of Local Area Coordination.

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Email All Councillors', 'role': 'Email sent to all Councillors inviting them to attend a briefing on Local Area Coordination'} {'name': 'Email All TDs', 'role': 'Email sent to all TDs inviting them to attend a briefing on Local Area Coordination'} {'name': 'Email All Senators', 'role': 'Email sent to all Senators inviting them to attend a briefing on Local Area Coordination'}

National Federation of Voluntary Service Providers Supporting People with Intellectual Disability

May–August

[Budgetary matters] Oireachtas Disability Group (ODG)'s Budget 2019 asks for funding for UN CRPD implementation - long submission and short infographic produced. ODG Membership is open to all Oireachtas Members. Four disability organsiations are also members: Disability Federation of Ireland, Inclusion Ireland, the National Federation of Voluntary Bodies and the Not for Profit Business Association.

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Event / Reception All Oireachtas Members', 'role': "Event in AV Room of Leinster House Launching ODG's Budget 2019 submission & infographic to all Oireachtas Members."} {'name': 'Leo Varadkar', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Paschal Donohoe', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Finian McGrath', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Jim Daly', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Josepha Madigan', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} + 17 more

Disability Federation of Ireland

May–August

[Budgetary matters] Pre-Budget Submission 2019

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'John Dolan (Currently employed as a DPO)', 'role': 'Senator (Seanad)'} {'name': 'Event / Reception All Oireachtas Members', 'role': 'DFI attended , by invitation, and made interventions at the National Economic Dialogue hosted by Minister for Finance and Public Expenditure and Reform. \n\nVariously attended by: Minister for Finance and Public Expenditure and Reform, An Taoiseach, Secretaries Generals, Ministers, Ministers of State and Members of the Oireachtas.'} {'name': 'Letter All Oireachtas Members', 'role': "A cover letter along with DFI's Pre-Budget Submission 2019 was sent to all TDs and Senators."} {'name': 'Gerry Maguire', 'role': 'Special Adviser (Department of Health)'} {'name': "Margaret Murphy O'Mahony", 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Michael McGrath', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} + 17 more

Disability Federation of Ireland

May–August

[Budgetary matters] Oireachtas Disability Group (ODG)'s Budget 2019 asks for funding for UN CRPD implementation - long submission and short infographic produced. ODG Membership is open to all Oireachtas Members. Four disability organsiations are also members: Disability Federation of Ireland, Inclusion Ireland, the National Federation of Voluntary Bodies and the Not for Profit Association. Chair: Senator John Dolan Vice Chair: Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'John Dolan (Currently employed as a DPO)', 'role': 'Senator (Seanad)'} {'name': 'Caoimhghín Ó Caolaín (Currently employed as a DPO)', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Email All Oireachtas Members', 'role': '2-5 emails were sent to all Oireachtas Members to attend prepatory ODG meetings.'} {'name': 'Email All Oireachtas Members', 'role': "1 email was sent to all Oireachtas Members to attend the launch of the ODG's Budget 2019 submission."} {'name': 'Event / Reception All Oireachtas Members', 'role': "The launch of the ODG's Budget 2019 submission & infographic took place in the AV Room of Leinster House."} {'name': 'Email All Oireachtas Members', 'role': "The ODG's Budget 2019 submission & infographic were sent from the Chair, Senator John Dolan and Vice Chair Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin"} + 44 more

Disability Federation of Ireland

May–August

[Education and Training] Public consultation on Review of Career Guidance

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Richard Bruton', 'role': 'Minister (Department of Education and Skills)'}

Disability Federation of Ireland

May–August

[Housing] Lack of appropriate housing for people with disabilities

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Niall McNelis', 'role': 'Councillor (Galway City Council)'} {'name': 'Brendan McGrath', 'role': 'CEO (Galway City Council)'} {'name': 'Chris Andrews', 'role': 'Councillor (Dublin City Council)'} {'name': 'Janice Boylan', 'role': 'Councillor (Dublin City Council)'} {'name': 'Christy Burke', 'role': 'Councillor (Dublin City Council)'} {'name': 'Anthony Connaghan', 'role': 'Councillor (Dublin City Council)'} + 14 more

Disability Federation of Ireland

May–August

[Employment] Seeking innovative policy addressing complexity of disability, employment and cost of living

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Regina Doherty', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Regina Doherty', 'role': 'Minister (Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection)'}

Disability Federation of Ireland

May–August

[Health] Individualised community-based disability services and personalised budgets and access to drug treatments

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Simon Harris', 'role': 'Minister (Department of Health)'} {'name': 'Siobhan O’Halloran', 'role': 'Chief Nursing Officer (Department of Health)'}

Disability Federation of Ireland

May–August

[Health] Fetal Valproate Syndrome

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Email All Oireachtas Members', 'role': '1 email was sent to all Oireachtas Members inviting them to a briefing at Leinster House.'} {'name': 'Event / Reception All Oireachtas Members', 'role': '1 briefing took place at Leinster House targetted at all Oireachtas Members.'} {'name': 'Simon Harris', 'role': 'Minister (Department of Health)'} {'name': 'Stephen Donnelly', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Bernard Durkan', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Michael Harty', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} + 8 more

Disability Federation of Ireland

May–August

[Community] Request for support for the Make Way Day Campaign

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'John Dolan (Currently employed as a DPO)', 'role': 'Senator (Seanad)'} {'name': 'Email All Councillors', 'role': "Emails seeking them to pass a motion achieve the intended results. Asking them also to 'write to An Taoiseach, all Ministers and Ministers of State calling them to support, establish, fund and resource an annual national Make Way Day'. Sent to all Councillors in: Tipperary, Laois, Offaly, Longford, Westmeath, Meath, Kilkenny, Carlow, Waterford, Wexford, Monaghan, Cavan, Mayo, Sligo, Leitrim, Roscommon, Donegal, Kerry."} {'name': 'Leo Varadkar', 'role': 'Taoiseach (Department of the Taoiseach)'} {'name': 'Niall McNelis', 'role': 'Councillor (Galway City Council)'} {'name': 'Patrick Murphy', 'role': 'Councillor (Cork County Council)'} {'name': 'Norma Foley', 'role': 'Councillor (Kerry County Council)'} + 2 more

Disability Federation of Ireland

May–August

[Community] Removal of barriers to inclusion within remit of local authority

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Email All Councillors', 'role': '1 email was sent to all Fingal County Councillors outlining results of disability workshop - barriers identified, solutions proposed and request for their support'}

Disability Federation of Ireland

May–August

[Budgetary matters] UN CRPD COSP delegation from Ireland

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Simon Coveney', 'role': 'Minister (Department of Foreign Affairs)'} {'name': 'Helen McEntee', 'role': 'Minister of State (Department of Foreign Affairs)'} {'name': 'Finian McGrath', 'role': 'Minister of State (Department of Health)'} {'name': 'Gerry Maguire', 'role': 'Special Adviser (Department of Health)'}

Disability Federation of Ireland

May–August

[Transport] Improved public transport services for people with disabilities

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'John Dolan (Currently employed as a DPO)', 'role': 'Senator (Seanad)'} {'name': 'Shane Ross', 'role': 'Minister (Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport)'}

Disability Federation of Ireland

September–December

[Community] Request for support for the Make Way Day Campaign

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Informal communication All Councillors', 'role': "1 Press release sent to national and local media calling for establishment of annual local and national Make Way Day. \n\n5-10 interviews with radio/television broadcasters.\n\nWe have selected 'All Councillors' here but this called on both National Government and Local Government to establish a Local and National MakeWayDay."} {'name': 'Leo Varadkar', 'role': 'Taoiseach (Department of the Taoiseach)'}

National Federation of Voluntary Service Providers Supporting People with Intellectual Disability

September–December

[Justice and Equality] Oireachtas Disability Group, ODG work. ODG Membership is open to all Oireachtas Members. Four disability organsiations are also members: Disability Federation of Ireland, Inclusion Ireland, the National Federation of Voluntary Bodies and the Not for Profit Association.

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'John Dolan', 'role': 'Senator (Seanad)'} {'name': 'Séamus Healy', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': "Margaret Murphy O'Mahony", 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Anne Rabbitte', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': "Maureen O'Sullivan", 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Mattie McGrath', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} + 2 more

Disability Federation of Ireland

September–December

[Health] Health (Regulation of Termination of Pregnancy) Bill 2018

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Email All Oireachtas Members', 'role': 'A submission was sent to all TDs and Senators.'}

Lobbying Tracker

Most Lobbied TDs