Relevant Matter
Public policy or programme
Public Policy Area
Health
Period
1 Jan, 2020 to 30 Apr, 2020
Specific Details
Fighting Blindness launched a manifesto to reduce ophthalmology waiting lists, gain access to gene therapies, gain access to genetic coding and offset some of the wellbeing costs of living with inherited retinal degeneration [IRD].
Intended results
To gain support from political representatives in any subsequent programme for government.
To influence public policy in the area of disability welfare.
Name of person primarily responsible for lobbying on this activity
Kevin Whelan, CEO, Fighting Blindness.
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?
Yes
What is the directive you gave to the grassroots campaigners?
To raise issues with General Election candidates in GE2020. DEMAND ONE: OFFSET WELLBEING COSTS Wellbeing costs must be reduced for each citizen through resources such as medical cards, access to counselling services and personal assistance. DEMAND TWO: CUT WAITING LISTS Cut waiting lists for eye care through improved regional centres and staffing levels. DEMAND THREE: KNOW OUR GENETIC CODES Our genetic codes and relevant health data must be made available to the designated interactive database - unless individuals opt out. DEMAND FOUR: ACCESS TO GENE THERAPY Once-off life-changing gene therapies are now being approved by the EU. If the cure is waiting; we shouldn’t be.
Was this lobbying done on behalf of a client?
No
Lobbying activity
The following activities occurred for this specific Subject Matter Area.
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.
Finian McGrath
Minister of State (Department of Health)
Regina Doherty
Minister (Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection)
Simon Harris
Minister (Department of Health)
Heather Humphreys
Minister (Department of Business, Enterprise and Innovation)
Martin Conway
Senator (Seanad)
Simon Coveney
Tánaiste and Minister (Department of Foreign Affairs)
Joe McHugh
Minister (Department of Education and Skills)
Paschal Donohoe
Minister (Department of Finance)
Richard Bruton
Minister (Department of Environment, Climate and Communications)
Shane Ross
Minister (Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport)
Katherine Zappone
Minister (Department of Children and Youth Affairs)
Leo Varadkar
Taoiseach (Department of the Taoiseach)
Mary Mitchell O’Connor
Minister of State (Department of Education and Skills)
Charles Flanagan
Minister (Department of Justice and Equality)
Helen McEntee
Minister of State (Department of Foreign Affairs)