SAFE Ireland National Social Change Agency CLG T/A SAFE Ireland

Lobbying Organisation SAFE Ireland National Social Change Agency CLG T/A SAFE Ireland

Date published 04 May, 2023

Relevant Matter Legislation

Public Policy Area Justice and Equality

Period 1 Jan, 2023 to 30 Apr, 2023

Specific Details Domestic Violence (Amendment) Bill 2023

Intended results Influence legislation for victims of domestic and sexual violence by providing expert input to Senator Martin in relation to his draft bill which proposes to limit an accused's right to personal cross examination in coercive control cases as is the case for sexual offence cases..

Name of person primarily responsible for lobbying on this activity CEO Mary McDermott; Legal Advisor Caroline Counihan BL

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.

Informal communication (6-10)

Email from Noeline Blackwell DRCC 16th January to Senator Martin recommending he consult with Safe Ireland and Women's Aid in respect of his Draft Bill. Email from Senator Martin 17th January with Draft Bill for consideration. Email from Senator Martin to Mary McDermott and other Consultants inviting them to attend Leinster House on 15th February and present on proposed legislation. Email to Senator Martin from Mary McDermott with Safe Ireland's recommendations stated we weren't free to present.

Informal communication (1)

Informal chats with Minister Roderic O'Gorman and Senator Sharon Keogan in Leinster House in relation to the work of Safe Ireland in general, Domestic Violence Employment Leave and Women's Equality.

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.

Vincent P Martin Senator (Seanad)

Roderic O'Gorman Minister (Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth)

Sharon Keogan Senator (Seanad)