Irish Council of Churches (Irish Council of Churches)

Lobbying Organisation Irish Council of Churches

Date published 22 May, 2016

Relevant Matter Public policy or programme

Public Policy Area Justice and Equality

Period 1 Jan, 2016 to 30 Apr, 2016

Specific Details Clarification was sought on how the Government was handling the integration of Syrian refugees and how churches and faith-based organisations in Ireland might be able to engage and assist with this process.

Intended results To seek access to information from the government regarding where refugees are to be placed, in order to assess what supports our member churches can provide in those areas. To encourage the government to carry out the process of safely relocating refugees to Ireland as swiftly and efficiently as possible. To ensure that those refugees already in Ireland and under the Direct Provision scheme are not placed at a disadvantage.

Name of person primarily responsible for lobbying on this activity Mr Mervyn McCullagh, ICC Executive Officer

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)

A briefing for faith representatives, organised by the Department of Justice and Equality and the Irish Red Cross, took place on 14th January 2016 in the Atrium of the Department of Justice and Equality. The agenda was as follows: 1. Welcome and introductions 2. Update on Pledges data base and verification process 3. Review of accommodation needs of refugees 4. Review of services and co-ordination of same to be provided to refugees on arrival in communities 5. Next steps

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.

Frances Fitzgerald Minister (Department of Justice and Equality)

John Roycroft Director (Department of Justice and Equality)