Alcohol Forum Ireland

Lobbying Organisation Alcohol Forum Ireland

Date published 21 Jan, 2026

Relevant Matter Public policy or programme

Public Policy Area Health

Period 1 Sep, 2025 to 31 Dec, 2025

Specific Details To ensure meaningful inclusion of alcohol as a policy priority within the new National Drug Strategy.

Intended results Clarity on the inclusion of alcohol in the New National Drugs strategy and a commitment from Government and the Department of Health that clear action areas, key performance indicators and budgets would be agreed to prevent and reduce alcohol harm over the lifetime of the new strategy.

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? The Coalition for Better Alcohol Policy comprises a membership of 72. During the period, AFI prepared and circulated draft communications for members to support their advocacy on matters relating to the meaningful inclusion of alcohol in the new National Drug and Alcohol Strategy.

Was this lobbying done on behalf of a client? No

Mass communications

Email All Oireachtas Members Several written communications to all Oireachtas members regarding the key concerns and recommendations of the Coalition for Better Alcohol Policy. These communications were sent from Alcohol Forum Ireland, from the Irish Community Action on Alcohol Network and from several member organisations of the Coalition for Better Alcohol Policy.

Lobbying activity

The following activities occurred for this specific Subject Matter Area.

Email (100+)

Several written communications to all Oireachtas members regarding the key concerns and recommendations of the Coalition for Better Alcohol Policy. These communications were sent from Alcohol Forum Ireland, from the Irish Community Action on Alcohol Network and from several member organisations of the Coalition for Better Alcohol Policy.

Event / Reception (1)

Hosted by Padraig Rice, TD, the Coalition for Better Alcohol Policy held an AV room briefing on September 23rd in the Oireachtas. Lived experiences were shared by members of the Traveller community & a family impacted by Alcohol Related Brain Injury. Ballymun Local Drug and Alcohol Task Force, the North East Regional Drug & Alcohol Task Force, the HSE Integrated Alcohol Service and Alcohol Forum Ireland represented the Coalition at the event which was attended by approx 20 people.

Meeting (1)

Meeting with Marie Sherlock TD in the Oireachtas in regard to the work of the Coalition for Better Alcohol Policy, the need for alcohol to be clearly named as a priority in the new National Drugs Strategy and the need for increased investment in alcohol services and Drug and Alcohol Task Forces.

Meeting (1)

Meeting with Padraig Rice TD in the Oireachtas to introduce the delegation speaking on behalf of the Coalition for Better Alcohol Policy at the AV Room briefing on Sept 23rd.

Meeting (1)

Meeting with Catherine Ardagh in the Oireachtas on September 23rd regarding the work of the Coalition for Better Alcohol Policy. Meeting was attended by Paula Leonard and Maggie May McHugh, a young woman with a diagnosis of FASD and the specific focus was on the need for employment, and educational supports for adults with FASD in Ireland.

Submission (1)

Written submission to the Oireachtas Health Committee requesting that they would facilitate a discussion on the inclusion of alcohol in the new National Drug Strategy.

Email (100+)

Written communication to all members of the Oireachtas Health Committee (TD's and Senators) requesting that they would support the Coalition for Better Alcohol Policy's request to appear before the Committee.

Event / Reception (1)

Appearance by four members of the Coalition for Better Alcohol Policy before the Oireachtas Health Committee on December 10th. HSE and Dept of Health were also present at the Oireachtas discussion which focused on coordination of alcohol policy, leadership on alcohol and the need for clear and meaningful inclusion of alcohol in the new National Drugs Strategy.

Phone call (2-5)

Ongoing liaison with Senator Aubrey McCarthy regarding the work of the Coalition for Better Alcohol Policy and the Senator's advocacy on related matters in the Seanad during the reporting period

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.

Pádraig Rice TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Catherine Ardagh TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Marie Sherlock TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Aubrey McCarthy Senator (Seanad)

Colm Burke TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Michael Cahill TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Sorca Clarke TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

David Cullinane TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Martin Daly TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Pádraig O'Sullivan TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Peter Roche TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Manus Boyle Senator (Seanad)

Maria Byrne Senator (Seanad)

Tom Clonan Senator (Seanad)

Teresa Costello Senator (Seanad)

Nicole Ryan Senator (Seanad)