Overwatch Report

Epilepsy Ireland

January–April

[Health] On International Epilepsy Day (Feb 11th), requested by email, all TDs and senators to post their support on social media for International Epilepsy Day.

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Email All Senators', 'role': 'Information about epilepsy, Epilepsy Ireland and #EpilepsyDay campaign. Asked each member to support the campaign on social media.'} {'name': 'Email All TDs', 'role': 'Information about epilepsy, Epilepsy Ireland and #EpilepsyDay campaign. Asked each member to support the campaign on social media.'}

Epilepsy Ireland

January–April

[Health] Invitation to attend the first national conference on sodium valproate to address the key issues today facing families, healthcare professionals and policy makers. Event organised by Epilepsy Ireland, OACS Ireland, Trinity College, HSE, and FACS Forum.

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Email All Senators', 'role': 'Invitation to event on March 22nd 2019 at TCD including background information on the issue of foetal valproate syndrome.'} {'name': 'Email All TDs', 'role': 'Invitation to event on March 22nd 2019 at TCD including background information on the issue of foetal valproate syndrome.'}

Epilepsy Ireland

January–April

[Health] Update to Bobby Alyward TD on Sodium Valproate including the need for Oireachtas Health Committee meeting and meeting with Minister for Health

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Bobby Aylward', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'}

Epilepsy Ireland

January–April

[Health] FACS Forum meeting regarding sodium valproate to update the Senator on the progress in Ireland and Europe.

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Rose Conway-Walsh', 'role': 'Senator (Seanad)'}

Epilepsy Ireland

May–August

[Health] Follow-up to the Oireachtas Health Committee's 2018 report on Foetal Anti-Convulsant Syndrome

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': "Louise O'Reilly", 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'}

Epilepsy Ireland

May–August

[Social Protection] Circulated proposal to members of Oireachtas Health committee and other members of Oireachtas regarding extension of Free Travel Scheme to people with epilepsy who are ineligible to hold a driver’s licence on account of their condition

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Bernard Durkan', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Michael Harty', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Alan Kelly', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': "Margaret Murphy O'Mahony", 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': "Kate O'Connell", 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': "Louise O'Reilly", 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} + 8 more

Epilepsy Ireland

May–August

[Health] Invitation to connect on issues relating to neurology/ epilepsy generally

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Jennifer Carroll MacNeill', 'role': 'Councillor (Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council)'}

Epilepsy Ireland

May–August

[Education and Training] Forwarding information and details about Epilepsy Ireland’s Training For Success course in Sligo IT.

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Gino Kenny', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Charlie McConalogue', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Thomas Pringle', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Pat the Cope Gallagher', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Joe McHugh', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Martin Kenny', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} + 88 more

Epilepsy Ireland

May–August

[Health] Making contact with Senators and TDS in Cork area to invite them to our National Conference planned to be held in Cork end of September

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': "Kevin O'Keeffe", 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Pat Buckley', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'David Stanton', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Seán Sherlock', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Mick Barry', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Dara Murphy', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} + 15 more

Epilepsy Ireland

September–December

[Health] Requesting a meeting with Minister for Health to discuss further the national response to foetal valproate syndrome/ sodium valproate

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Simon Harris', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Simon Harris', 'role': 'Minister (Department of Health)'}

Epilepsy Ireland

September–December

[Health] Meeting to discuss need for further actions on State's response to issues around epilepsy drug sodium valproate

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Stephen Donnelly', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'}

Epilepsy Ireland

September–December

[Health] Seeking details on amount of people availing of Long Term illness Scheme.

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Charlie McConalogue', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'}

Epilepsy Ireland

September–December

[Health] Met with Deputies (seperately) along with OACS Ireland to discuss HSE response to issues around Sodium Valproate

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'John Brassil', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Bobby Aylward', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'}

Epilepsy Ireland

January–April

[Social Protection] Follow up communications regarding extending the free travel scheme to people with epilepsy who are ineligible to hold a driver's licence on account of their epilepsy.

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Gerry Maguire', 'role': 'Special Adviser (Department of Health)'}

Epilepsy Ireland

January–April

[Health] FACS Forum Meeting with Louise O’Reilly TD regarding Foetal Anti-Convulsant Syndrome (FACS), the work of the FACS Forum and to discuss a presentation to TDs/ Senators at the Leinster House AV Room

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': "Louise O'Reilly", 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'}

Epilepsy Ireland

January–April

[Health] Meeting request to Kate O’Connell TD to discuss proposed legislation regarding Medicinal Cannabis

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': "Kate O'Connell", 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'}

Epilepsy Ireland

January–April

[Health] Communication and meeting with Dr Michael Harty TD regarding Foetal Anti convulsant Syndrome (FACS) and the aims of the FACS Forum

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Michael Harty', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'}

Epilepsy Ireland

January–April

[Health] FACS Forum Meeting with Minister for Health Mr. Simon Harris TD regarding Foetal Anti-convulsant Syndrome (FACS), the aims of the FACS Forum and issues concerning families affected by FACS.

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Simon Harris', 'role': 'Minister (Department of Health)'} {'name': 'Joanne Lonergan', 'role': 'Special Adviser (Department of Health)'}

Epilepsy Ireland

January–April

[Health] Mass email communication for International Epilepsy Day (Feb 12th) to TDs and senators

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Email All Oireachtas Members', 'role': 'Sent out a mass email invitation for International Epilepsy Day (Feb 12th) to TDs and senators to post their support on social media for International Epilepsy Day, aimed at raising awareness of epilepsy.'}

Epilepsy Ireland

January–April

[Health] Meeting with Billy Kelleher TD regarding Foetal Anti-Convulsant Syndrome (FACS) on behalf of FACS Forum

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Billy Kelleher', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'}

Epilepsy Ireland

May–August

[Health] Discussions with TD Michael Collins regarding the provision of Free Travel for people with epilepsy who are medically ineligible to drive

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Michael Collins', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'}

Epilepsy Ireland

May–August

[Health] Presentation by FACS Forum to TDs and Senators at Leinster House regarding Valproate (Epilim) and Foetal Anti Convulsant Syndrome (FACS)

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Email All Oireachtas Members', 'role': 'Information from meeting circulated to all TDs and Senators following event at Leinster House.'} {'name': 'Michael Collins', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Gino Kenny', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': "Jan O'Sullivan", 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Mary Butler', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Andrew Doyle', 'role': 'Minister of State (Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine)'} + 9 more

Epilepsy Ireland

May–August

[Health] Letter to Michael Harty, Chair of Oireachtas Health Committee with additional information concerning FACS Forum presentation to the Committee in April.

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Michael Harty', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'}

Epilepsy Ireland

September–December

[Health] Meeting with Senator Rose Conway-Walsh and Caoimhghin O’Caoilan TD to discuss issues re foetal valproate syndrome.

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Rose Conway-Walsh', 'role': 'Senator (Seanad)'} {'name': 'Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'}

Epilepsy Ireland

September–December

[Health] Requested meeting with Minister on behalf of the FACS Forum.

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Simon Harris', 'role': 'Minister (Department of Health)'}

Epilepsy Ireland

September–December

[Health] Seeking support for a further Oireachtas Health Committee hearing on the subject of Sodium Valproate and Foetal Valproate Syndrome.

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Michael Harty', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'}

Epilepsy Ireland

September–December

[Health] To update the Deputy on need for investment in neurological and epilepsy services in Ireland, including the full implementation of the HSE’s Epilepsy Model of Care. Also discussed FACS Forum’s call for a further Health Committee hearing on sodium valproate; and the need to launch the medicinal cannabis access programme.

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Michael Harty', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'}

Epilepsy Ireland

January–April

[Health] HPRA Report on Medicinal Cannabis

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Simon Harris', 'role': 'Minister (Department of Health)'}

Epilepsy Ireland

January–April

[Health] Cannabis for Medicinal Use Bill

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Catherine Byrne', 'role': 'Minister of State (Department of Health)'}

Epilepsy Ireland

January–April

[Health] Highlighting issues surrounding the use of epilepsy drug Valproate (Epilim) in pregnancy

Public Officials Lobbied

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

Lobbying Tracker

Most Lobbied TDs