Irish Episcopal Conference

Lobbying Organisation Irish Episcopal Conference

Date published 19 Sep, 2019

Relevant Matter Legislation

Public Policy Area Justice and Equality

Period 1 May, 2019 to 31 Aug, 2019

Specific Details Seeking the introduction of amending legislation to ensure the inward transfer of Irish prisoners overseas can recommence. Seeking clarification on the number of applications from Irish prisoners overseas currently being processed by the Department of Justice and Equality and an update on the progress of their applications. Seeking an update on the publication of an annual report on the implementation of the Transfer of Sentenced Persons Act.

Intended results To request that legislation is prioritised on the Autumn/Winter Legislative Programme. To understand better the level of progress on existing applications from prisoners overseas to transfer back to an Irish prison. To request that the overdue annual report is published without delay.

Name of person primarily responsible for lobbying on this activity Ciara Kirrane and Brian Hanley of the Irish Council for Prisoners Overseas of the Irish Bishops' Conference.

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.

Letter (2-5)

Letter to, and from, Mr Charles Flanagan TD, Minister for Justice and Equality, outlining the importance of being able to transfer to a prison in Ireland for Irish prisoners overseas and their families; seeking the Transfer of Sentenced Persons (Amendment) Bill 2019 be included as priority legislation in the Autumn/Winter Legislative Programme and requested that it be introduced without delay.

Email (6-10)

Eight e-mails requesting Parliamentary Questions be put down on behalf of the Irish Council for Prisoners Overseas and the prisoners and families we advocate for.

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.

Charles Flanagan Minister (Department of Justice and Equality)

Éamon Ó Cuív TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)