The Psychological Society of Ireland

Lobbying Organisation The Psychological Society of Ireland

Date published 21 May, 2026

Relevant Matter Public policy or programme

Public Policy Area Children and Youth Affairs

Period 1 Jan. 2026 to 30 Apr. 2026

Specific Details Invited oral submission to the Joint Committee on Children and Equality on technology, social media, and children.

Intended results To inform Committee consideration of policy in this area by advocating for a balanced, evidence-informed, and rights-based approach to children’s digital engagement, including protecting sleep, reducing online harms, supporting positive use, and ensuring responsibility of technology providers.

Name of person primarily responsible for lobbying on this activity Sarah Cassidy, PSI President & Mr Mark Smyth, PSI Member

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

Lobbying activity

The following activities occurred for this specific Subject Matter Area.

Meeting (1)

Opening statement delivered to the Joint Committee on Children and Equality on 5 February 2026, outlining PSI’s evidence-based position on digital technology, social media, and children’s mental health and development. Keira Keogh (Cathaoirleach) Aisling Dempsey (Leas-Chathaoirleach) Grace Boland John Connolly Emer Currie Aidan Farrelly Claire Kerrane Charles Ward Ruairí Ó Murchú

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.

Ruairí Ó Murchú TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Charles Ward TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Claire Kerrane TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Aidan Farrelly TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Emer Currie TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

John Connolly TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Grace Boland TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Aisling Dempsey TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Kiera Keogh TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)