Immigrant Council of Ireland

Lobbying Organisation Immigrant Council of Ireland

Date published 17 May, 2019

Relevant Matter Public policy or programme

Public Policy Area Justice and Equality

Period 1 Jan, 2019 to 30 Apr, 2019

Specific Details The need for immigration reform

Intended results An immigration system that is efficient and effective both for users of the service and the Department of Justice & Equality

Name of person primarily responsible for lobbying on this activity Brian Killoran, CEO

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)

Meeting with Oonagh Buckley, Assistant Sec Gen of the Department of Justice, outlining examples from our helpline and Independent Law Centre Service about the need for more comprehensive immigration related legislation, including the introduction of an independent appeals mechanism for immigration related decisions & the introduction of clearer policies and guidelines so there isn't so much reliance on discretion. Adequate resourcing of INIS to ensure timely decision making and of the International Protection Office to ensure decisions are processed within the 6 month timeframe outlined in the International Protection Act was also touched upon.

Meeting (1)

Meeting with Deputy Jim O'Callaghan to discuss outlining examples from our helpline and Independent Law Centre Service about the need for more comprehensive immigration related legislation, including the introduction of an independent appeals mechanism for immigration related decisions & the introduction of clearer policies and guidelines so there isn't so much reliance on discretion. We also brought up the potentially precarious position of non-EEA family members of UK citizens post-Brexit and the need for contingency measures to be in place. Need for greater planning for immigration and not reaction, looking to our EU neighbours to inform planning, e.g. Portuguese approach to integration strategies.

Event / Reception (1)

Attendance at Fianna Fail Ard Fheis to promote Immigrant Council manifesto asks including reform of the immigration system esp for children, need for effective hate crime legislation, need for all local authorities to have effective local integration strategies

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.

Oonagh Buckley Assistant Secretary (Department of Public Expenditure and Reform)

Jim O'Callaghan TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Micheál Martin Taoiseach (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Lisa Chambers Councillor (Mayo County Council)

Anne Rabbitte TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Fiona O'Loughlin TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)