Alcohol Forum Ireland

Lobbying Organisation Alcohol Forum Ireland

Date published 21 Sep, 2023

Relevant Matter Legislation

Public Policy Area Justice and Equality

Period 1 May, 2023 to 31 Aug, 2023

Specific Details Community campaign to seek changes to the provisions of the Sale of Alcohol Bill (2023) to protect health, well being and strengthen the protections on children's rights.

Intended results Amendments to the provisions of the Sale of Alcohol Bill (2023) to better protect health, wellbeing and children's rights. Lobbying with regard to Alcohol Forum Ireland and Irish Community Action on Alcohol Network's concerns relating to the involvement of gambling industry funded Trust in the areas of health, schools and third level education. Lobbying with regard to the need for residential rehabilitation services for individuals with an Alcohol Related Brain Injury in Ireland.

Name of person primarily responsible for lobbying on this activity Paula Leonard

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? - briefing document on the Sale of Alcohol Bill - online training webinar on the Sale of Alcohol Bill and key concerns about its provisions - Worked with both Southern Regional and North East Regional Drug and Alcohol Task Forces on the organisation of online briefing sessions for elected representatives in their area - Organised a national event with ICAAN members for the launch of Professor Tom Babor's report 'Cost and Benefits of the Sale of Alcohol Bill (2023)'

Was this lobbying done on behalf of a client? No

Mass communications

Email All Oireachtas Members 15 Ministers, 145 TDs and 60 Senators were invited to the Launch of New expert report on the potential impacts of the Sale of Alcohol Bill on Children's Rights. Launch event takes place October 20th. Communication raised need for amendments to the Sale of Alcohol Bill.

Email All Oireachtas Members Invitation to launch of Prof. Tom Babor's report 'Costs and Benefits of the Sale of Alcohol Bill (2023)' which took place in Dublin on May 9th

Email All Oireachtas Members Copy of Prof. Tom Babor's report 'Costs and Benefits of the Sale of Alcohol Bill (2023) sent to all Oireachtas members week after launch of report on May 9th.

Email All Oireachtas Members Invitation to the upcoming launch of the second expert report produced by AFI and ICAAN on the Sale of Alcohol Bill. Launch of report by Ass. Professor Ollie Bartlett focuses on the risks to children associated with the provisions of the Sale of Alcohol Bill. Report launch will take place in October.

Lobbying activity

The following activities occurred for this specific Subject Matter Area.

Virtual Meeting (2-5)

May 16th: Online briefing for political representatives with the Southern Regional Drug and Alcohol Task force as part of the community campaign for changes to the Sale of Alcohol Bill. July 20th: Online briefing for political representatives with the North Eastern Regional Drug and Alcohol Task Force as part of the community campaign for changes to the Sale of Alcohol Bill.

Email (2-5)

Briefing document from AFI and ICAAN regarding the emerging concerns about gambling industry funded activity in Ireland in the areas of schools, health and third level education. Briefing document sent to Deputy Shortall with a view to her raising PQ's on the issue.

Meeting (1)

Meeting with Minister Charlie McConalogue seeking to raise with him the higher impact on ARBI in the North West, the successful work of AFI through their rehabilitation and support service and the strategic goal of seeking funding for the development of a residential rehabilitation unit for people with the condition.

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.

Róisín Shorthall TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Charlie McConalogue Minister (Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine)

Ged Nash TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Brendan Smith TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)