Irish Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy - IACP

Lobbying Organisation Irish Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy - IACP

Date published 21 Sep, 2026

Relevant Matter Legislation

Public Policy Area Health

Period 1 May. 2026 to 31 Aug. 2026

Specific Details Calling for legislation to regulate 'Artificial Intelligence' (AI) mental health tools.

Intended results For legislation to be filed to protect the public from the serious risks associated with the use of AI mental health tools.

Name of person primarily responsible for lobbying on this activity Lisa Molloy, Nicole Mac Dermott

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?) No

Did you manage or direct a grassroots campaign? No

Was this lobbying done on behalf of a client? No

Mass communications

Social Media All Oireachtas Members Used our social media platforms to request that TDs support our call for legislation to regulate 'Artificial Intelligence' (AI) mental health tools.

Lobbying activity

The following activities occurred for this specific Subject Matter Area.

Letter (1)

The IACP joined with other professional bodies writing to Minister Mary Butler stating our serious concerns about AI 'therapy' and the need for a legislative ban to protect the public and requested a meeting to discuss this issue.

Meeting (1)

Our group met with Deputy Sorca Clarke to discuss our serious concerns about AI 'therapy' and the need for a legislative ban to protect the public.

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 Butler Government Chief Whip and Minister (Department of the Taoiseach)

Ian Power Special Adviser (Department of the Taoiseach)

Sorca Clarke TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)