Inclusion Ireland

Politician(s) lobbied: Gareth Scahill (Senator), Seanad

Intent: Inclusion Ireland sought Senator Schaill’s support for our budgetary priorities on the cost of disability, independent living, responsive CAMHS, and inclusive education. We asked him to raise these issues with his colleagues at the next Fine Gael parliamentary party meeting. We also asked him to raise a topical matter in the Seanad about tracking public transport accessibility for people with intellectual disabilities.

Methods: EmailVirtual Meeting

Politician(s) lobbied: Maurice Quinlivan (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Ruairí Ó Murchú (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Louise O'Reilly (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas

Intent: On behalf of the Disability Political Engagement Group (DPEG), Inclusion Ireland invited members of Sinn Féin’s parliamentary party to a full briefing on the Group’s proposals and priorities ahead of Budget 2027. Our goal was to secure Sinn Féin’s support and adoption of our measures in their own Alternative Budget 2027.

Methods: Email

Politician(s) lobbied: Martin Daly (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Anne Rabbitte (Senator), Seanad; Margaret Murphy O'Mahony (Senator), Seanad; Micheál Carrigy (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; John Paul Phelan (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Kiera Keogh (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Gareth Scahill (Senator), Seanad; Maurice Quinlivan (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Ruairí Ó Murchú (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Louise O'Reilly (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Mark Wall (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Laura Harmon (Senator), Seanad; Peadar Tóibín (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Paul Lawless (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Sarah O'Reilly (Senator), Seanad; Michael Collins (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Ken O'Flynn (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Michael Fitzmaurice (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Richard O'Donoghue (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Liam Quaide (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Roderic O'Gorman (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Ruth Coppinger (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Paul Murphy (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Richard Boyd Barrett (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas

Intent: Inclusion Ireland shared our pre-Budget submission for 2027 with representatives across the Government and Opposition benches. We sought their public support for our proposals, their integration into their respective Alternative Budget proposals, and their raising of these matters directly with ministers and through topical issues in the Oireachtas.

Methods: Email

Politician(s) lobbied: Maurice Quinlivan (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Liam Quaide (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Micheál Carrigy (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Ruairí Ó Murchú (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Martin Daly (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Martin Daly (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Gillian Toole (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Séamus Healy (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Aisling Dempsey (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Kiera Keogh (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Margaret Murphy O'Mahony (Senator), Seanad; Laura Harmon (Senator), Seanad; Maria Byrne (Senator), Seanad; Nikki Bradley (Senator), Seanad; Tom Clonan (Senator), Seanad; Holly Cairns (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas

Intent: We invited members of the Joint Committee on Disability Matters and Oireachtas disability spokespeople to Inclusion Ireland’s AGM on 17th June, and asked them to join a panel discussion with our members on advancing independent living and community supports in line with Article 19 of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.

Methods: Email

Politician(s) lobbied: Laura Harmon (Senator), Seanad

Intent: Inclusion Ireland shared our Cost of Disability submission with Senator Laura Harmon of the Labour Party at her request. We hoped that sharing our proposals would influence Labour's submission to the consultation and emphasise the need for a person-centred payment.

Methods: Email

Politician(s) lobbied: Maurice Quinlivan (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Martin Daly (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Micheál Carrigy (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas

Intent: We contacted Deputy Quinlivan in his capacity as Cathaoirleach of the Disability Matters Committee, as well as Deputies Carrighy and Daly, to request a briefing on the findings of our report into the Farrelly Commission’s process, as well as request that the Disability Committee consider organising a series of public hearings on the issue, to hear from impacted survivors, their families, and advocacy groups.

Methods: Email

Politician(s) lobbied: Liam Quaide (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas

Intent: We sought the Social Democrats' support for our policy positions on access to services and supports.

Methods: Virtual Meeting

Politician(s) lobbied: Bernie McNally (Secretary General), Department of Education

Intent: Ensuring the participation of Inclusion Ireland's members and people with intellectual disabilities in the creation of public policy.

Methods: Meeting

Politician(s) lobbied: Micheál Martin (Taoiseach), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Norma Foley (Minister), Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth

Intent: Shape implementation of national disability policy and bring the views of Inclusion Ireland's members to the table.

Methods: Meeting

Politician(s) lobbied: Colm Ó Conaill (Assistant Secretary), Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth

Intent: Bring the views of our members in shaping actions from the Disability Capacity Review to the Department of Children, Disability, and Equality.

Methods: Meeting