Disability Federation of Ireland

Lobbying Organisation Disability Federation of Ireland

Date published 21 Sep, 2018

Relevant Matter Public policy or programme

Public Policy Area Health

Period 1 May, 2018 to 31 Aug, 2018

Specific Details Fetal Valproate Syndrome

Intended results Inquiry, compensation, services and supports for families affected by Fetal Anti-Convulsant Syndrome on three fronts: 1. Supporting those who have been affected in the PAST 2. Supporting families affected in the PRESENT 3. Reducing the risks for the FUTURE

Name of person primarily responsible for lobbying on this activity Joan O'Donnell on behalf of FACS Forum. FACS forum is a collaboration between DFI, Epilepsy Ireland, OACS Ireland, Shine, GRDO, Migraine Association of Ireland, Medical Research Charities Group. Joan O'Donnell is the Chair of FACS Forum.

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

Email All Oireachtas Members 1 email was sent to all Oireachtas Members inviting them to a briefing at Leinster House.

Event / Reception All Oireachtas Members 1 briefing took place at Leinster House targetted at all Oireachtas Members.

Lobbying activity

The following activities occurred for this specific Subject Matter Area.

Letter (6-10)

Targetted letters were posted to the following people seeking support on the recommendations of the JOC report: Minister Simon Harris TD, Stephen Donnelly TD Bernard Durkan TD, Dr Michael Harty Alan Kelly TD, Kate O'Connell TD,Margaret Murphy O'Mahony TD Louise O'Reilly TD Senators: • Colm Burke • John Dolan • Rónán Mullen • Dr Keith Swanick

Email (6-10)

Copies of the targetted letters were also sent via email: Minister Simon Harris TD, Stephen Donnelly TD Bernard Durkan TD, Dr Michael Harty Alan Kelly TD, Kate O'Connell TD,Margaret Murphy O'Mahony TD Louise O'Reilly TD Senators: • Colm Burke • John Dolan • Rónán Mullen • Dr Keith Swanick

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)

Stephen Donnelly TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Bernard Durkan TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Michael Harty TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Alan Kelly TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Kate O'Connell TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Margaret Murphy O'Mahony TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Louise O'Reilly TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Colm Burke Senator (Seanad)

John Dolan Senator (Seanad)

Rónán Mullen Senator (Seanad)

Keith Swanick Senator (Seanad)