Irish Penal Reform Trust

Lobbying Organisation Irish Penal Reform Trust

Date published 20 May, 2022

Relevant Matter Legislation

Public Policy Area Justice and Equality

Period 1 Jan, 2022 to 30 Apr, 2022

Specific Details Submission on the General Scheme of the Assisted Decision-Making (Capacity) (Amendment) Bill 2021

Intended results Highlight the needs of people the needs of people with disabilities in prison and engaged with forensic mental health services in Ireland. Ensure that people in prison / engaged with forensic mental health services are not forgotten as preparations are made to fully commence the Assisted Decision-Making (Capacity) Act 2015 (‘the 2015 Act’) and operationalise the Decision Support Service (DSS).

Name of person primarily responsible for lobbying on this activity Molly Joyce, Legal & Public Affairs Manager

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.

Submission (1)

Recommendations in submission included that the Committee on Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth (1) make any legislative amendments needed to provide support to people in prison who may need to avail of decision support services and (2) vindicate the rights of all people engaged with secure forensic mental health facilities and/or detained in the Central Mental Hospital.

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.

Patrick Costello TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Holly Cairns TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Cathal Crowe TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Alan Dillon TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Kathleen Funchion TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

John Paul Phelan TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Seán Sherlock TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Mark Ward TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Tom Clonan Senator (Seanad)

Erin McGreehan Senator (Seanad)

Ned O'Sullivan Senator (Seanad)

Lynn Ruane Senator (Seanad)

Mary Seery Kearney Senator (Seanad)