National Infertility Support and Information Group

Lobbying Organisation National Infertility Support and Information Group

Date published 21 May, 2021

Relevant Matter Legislation

Public Policy Area Health

Period 1 Jan, 2021 to 30 Apr, 2021

Specific Details NISIG is the only Irish charity supporting and advocacy on behalf of those experiencing fertility issues. NISIG is part of a broader AHR Coalition Group comprising LGBT Ireland, 221 Plus group, Equality for Children, Rainbow Families Equality Network, Irish Gay Dads & Independent Living. Main aim of the coalition is to ensure that equality is secured, and the human rights of children conceived using AHR, their intended parents and families are protected and advanced in legislation and policy.

Intended results To discuss General Scheme of AHR Bill introduced in 2017 & also the Oireachtas Health Committee Report Recommendations of 2019 at a virtual information event organised by LGBT Ireland for AHR coalition partners and other interested parties. focusing on the potential barriers to achieving progressive AHR legislation, priority areas for inclusion in the legislation and also red lines issues in relation to the AHR legislation for the organisations & parties invited to the virtual event To get an update in relation to both when Public Funding for AHR treatment is due to be made available and also whether any additional Public Funding will be set aside for AHR treatment

Name of person primarily responsible for lobbying on this activity LGBT Ireland & Gillian Keegan

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.

Virtual Meeting (1)

LGBT Ireland organised a virtual AHR roundtable information event in February 2021, to which NISIG, an AHR Coalition partner, amongst other organisations was invited to attend. The discussion at the event concerned the General Scheme of AHR Bill introduced in 2017 & also the Oireachtas Health Committee Report Recommendations of 2019. Discussion included the potential barriers to achieving progressive AHR legislation, priority areas for inclusion in the legislation and also red lines issues for the organisations & parties invited to the event. Both Senator Mary Seery Kearney and Senator Catherine Ardagh attended this information event.

Email (1)

Gillian Keegan from NISIG emailed Colm McGennis(Assistant Principal Officer) Bioethics Unit, Department of Health, asking for an update in relation to the following: a) Whether any additional Public Funding had been set aside for AHR treatments b) The timings around when this Public Funding for AHR treatments would be made available.

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.

Mary Seery Kearney Senator (Seanad)

Catherine Ardagh Senator (Seanad)