Irish Lung Fibrosis Association

Lobbying Organisation Irish Lung Fibrosis Association

Date published 19 May, 2017

Relevant Matter Public policy or programme

Public Policy Area Health

Period 1 Jan, 2017 to 30 Apr, 2017

Specific Details Communication with Ministers Simon Harris and Finian McGrath that was a follow up to our original request to meet with both Ministers (dated October 2016) to discuss the unmet health needs of IPF patients, to raise the urgent concerns about lung transplantation services at the National Heart and Lung Transplant Unit at the Mater Misericordiae University Hospital and ILFA's support for the introduction of a soft-opt out organ donation system.

Intended results To secure a meeting with Ministers Simon Harris and Finian McGrath to discuss the above challenges

Name of person primarily responsible for lobbying on this activity Nicola Cassidy, Director of the Irish Lung Fibrosis Association

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.

Letter (2-5)

24/04/2017 Letter to Ministers Simon Harris and Finian McGrath requesting a meeting to discuss the following: 1. Unmet health needs of IPF patients. 2. Beds and staff at the Lung Transplantation Services at the National Heart and Lung Transplant Unit at the Mater Misericordiae University Hospital. 3. The introduction of a soft-opt out organ donation system and announcement of a public consultation process.

Social Media (2-5)

ILFA Spring 2017 Newsletter sent to Government Ministers Simon Harris and Finian McGrath.

Event / Reception (1)

Nicola Cassidy and Gemma O'Dowd attended the launch of National Donor Awareness Week 2017 on Tuesday 28 March at the Mansion House. Minister Simon Harris addressed the audience for the official launch.

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.

Simon Harris Minister (Department of Health)

Finian McGrath Minister of State (Department of Health)