Irish Episcopal Conference

Lobbying Organisation Irish Episcopal Conference

Date published 19 Jan, 2022

Relevant Matter Legislation

Public Policy Area Justice and Equality

Period 1 Sep, 2021 to 31 Dec, 2021

Specific Details Seeking the introduction of amending legislation to ensure the inward transfer of Irish prisoners overseas can recommence. Seeking clarification on and proposing changes to the Criminal Justice (Mutual Recognition of Custodial Sentences) Bill 2021.

Intended results To resolve some of the current difficulties with transfers especially from the UK and ensure the process is fair, transparent and expeditious for all prisoners who may wish to apply for transfer. To facilitate the expeditious transfer of Irish prisoners in EU countries back to Ireland to serve their sentence.

Name of person primarily responsible for lobbying on this activity Mr Brian Hanley, Coordinator, ICPO; Ms Ciara Kirrane, Casework and Family Support Officer, ICPO; Ms Catherine Kenny, Casework, Information and Policy Officer, ICPO and Fr Gerry McFlynn Manager ICPO London Office.

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.

Virtual Meeting (2-5)

Three virtual meetings via Zoom were held: 1) Meeting with Minister James Browne TD (Minister for State at the Department of Justice and Equality with responsibility for Law Reform) – Attended by Brian Hanley and Catherine Kenny; 2) Meeting with Jennifer Carroll McNeill TD – Attended by Brian Hanley and Catherine Kenny; 3) Meeting with Lee Daly and Jessica Ní Mhaolain (from the offices of Pa Daly TD and Martin Kenny TD respectively – attended by Ciara Kirrane and Catherine Kenny.

Letter (6-10)

Nine letters were sent to the Justice Select Committee regarding Committee Stage of the Criminal Justice (Mutual Recognition of Custodial Sentences) Bill 2021.

Email (31-50)

27 Emails sent to TDs 14 emails sent to staff of the following TDs: Lee Daly (Pa Daly TD) Jessica Ní Mhaolain (Martin Kenny TD) Amelia Francis (Jennifer Carroll McNeill TD) Sam Limby (Jennifer Carroll McNeill TD) Adam Ladd (Patrick Costello TD)

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.

James Browne Minister of State (Department of Justice)

Joe O'Brien Minister of State (Department of Rural and Community Development)

Thomas Pringle TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Éamon Ó Cuív TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

James Lawless TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Martin Kenny TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Pa Daly TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Brendan Howlin TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Jennifer Carroll MacNeill TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Michael Creed TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Patrick Costello TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Niamh Smyth TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)