Irish Episcopal Conference

Lobbying Organisation Irish Episcopal Conference

Date published 20 Sep, 2017

Relevant Matter Public policy or programme

Public Policy Area Community

Period 1 May, 2017 to 31 Aug, 2017

Specific Details At the invitation of An Taoiseach, Mr Leo Varadkar TD, a delegation representing bishops and officials from the Irish Catholic Bishops' Conference met with the Taoiseach and Ministers in Government Buildings, Dublin on 31 August 2017. This was the first such meeting to take place under the Church-State structured dialogue process with Mr Varadkar as Taoiseach.

Intended results A constructive discussion with the Taoiseach and his Ministers focused on issues which are fundamental to sustaining the common good of Irish life.

Name of person primarily responsible for lobbying on this activity An Taoiseach, Mr Leo Varadkar TD. Bishops and officials: Archbishop Eamon Martin; Archbishop Diarmuid Martin; Archbishop Kieran O'Reilly; Archbishop Michael Neary; Bishop Francis Duffy; Ms Finola Finnan (Trócaire); Mgr Gearóid Dullea; Mr Harry Casey; Ms Kate Liffey, Mr Martin Long

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?) Yes

Current or Former Designated Public Official(s)

Mr Martin Long (Former DPO) Special Adviser (Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine)

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 took place in Government Buildings, Dublin on 31 August 2017. The agenda for the meeting included: World Meeting of Families 2018 and possible visit by Pope Francis; education issues, the 8th Amendment to the Constitution; Northern Ireland; International issues (development aid); and justice and social issues.

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.

Leo Varadkar Taoiseach (Department of the Taoiseach)

Frances Fitzgerald Tánaiste and Minister (Department of Justice and Equality)

Simon Harris Minister (Department of Health)

Richard Bruton Minister (Department of Education and Skills)

Regina Doherty Minister (Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection)

Shane Ross Minister (Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport)

Martin Fraser Secretary General (Department of the Taoiseach)

Brian Murphy Chief of Staff (Department of the Taoiseach)