Politician(s) lobbied: Neale Richmond (Minister of State), Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment
Intent: To ensure that safeguards are put in place to ensure returning Irish citizens would have access to social housing, in particular emergency housing.
Methods: Letter
Details by Method
Letter
Two letters were sent to Minister Neale Richmond on the 10 June 2026 and 29 June 2026 on behalf of the three organisations - CIDSP, Safe Home and Irish Council for Prisoners Overseas (ICPO).
Politician(s) lobbied: Johnny Guirke (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas
Intent: The aim of the group is to have a simpler system in place for people returning from the US to be able to exchange their US licence for an Irish one.
Methods: Virtual Meeting
Details by Method
Virtual Meeting
24 June 2026
Politician(s) lobbied: Helen McEntee (Minister), Department of Foreign Affairs
Intent: To bring about an end to the occupation of the West Bank by illegal Israeli settlers and the displacement of Palestinian people from their own lands.
Methods: LetterInformal communication
Details by Method
Letter
Letter to Ms Helen McEntee TD, Minister for Foreign AffairsTwo – letter sent and reply received.
Informal communication
While in Israel and Palestine on January 18 2026, as part of an international delegation from Catholic Bishops’ Conference in Europe and North America, Rev Dr Gary Carville, Executive Secretary, Social Issues and International Affairs and Mr Sean Farrell, CEO Trócaire, met with Mr Feilim McLaughlin, the Representative of Ireland to the Palestinian Authority for dinner in East Jerusalem. This engagement was social. The general situation in the Holy Land and the region was discussed informally.
Politician(s) lobbied: Martin Fraser (Ambassador), Department of Foreign Affairs; Neale Richmond (Minister of State), Department of Foreign Affairs
Intent: 1) To ensure that the challenges faced by Irish people in prison and particularly those who have finished their sentences in Ireland are understood by relevant government officials. To ensure that better support is provided to Irish people in prison overseas and on their return either by the State, or that organisations such as ICPO continue to be funded to carry out this work.::2) Agreements are put in place and legislation introduced where necessary to ensure that US Driver licences can be exchanged in Ireland and people returning including people resettling in Ireland after prison in the US do not have to sit a driver test in Ireland those delaying or reducing the options for employment.
Methods: MeetingEvent / Reception
Details by Method
Meeting
Global Irish Forum 30 April-1 May - meeting with Minister Neale Richmond attended as part of the Irish-US Driver's Licence Exchange Campaign. Minister briefed on a recent research report in relation to licence exchange and the recommendations of the report by spokespersons for the group. The group explained the advantages of having a US Driver Exchange for people returning form the US and asked that the Government consider changing legislation and policy to facilitate this
Event / Reception
Global Irish Forum 30 April-1 May “Listening and Learning from each other” breakout sessions-Leslie Alcock and Catherine Kenny attended separate sessions. One attended by President Connolly and several of her officials, none introduced. LA spoke about ICPO's work and challenges facing Irish people in prison and on return to Ireland and issues facing families of Irish people in prison abroad. CK session included Irish Ambassador to UK. CK spoke about ICPO and challenges facing Irish prisoners
Politician(s) lobbied: Anne Marie Hoey (Chief People Officer), Health Service Executive
Intent: Update provided on the Healthcare Chaplaincy Board's efforts to meet HSE employment requirements through standards for chaplains, CPD provisions, CPE centre accreditation ad networking for Healthcare Chaplains. Challenges outlined included reduced staffing, unfilled posts, hospitals with minimal or no chaplaincy service and diminishing availability of priests for on-call duties.
Methods: Meeting
Details by Method
Meeting
A meeting took place at the HSE Headquarters in Dublin on 26 November 2025 with Ms Anne Marie Hoey, Chief People Officer, and Dr Philippa Withero Ryan, Assistant National Director, Strategic Workforce Planning and Intelligence
Politician(s) lobbied: Neale Richmond (Minister of State), Department of Foreign Affairs
Intent: To raise awareness of the challenges of Irish people in prison overseas and to improve the outcomes of people seeking to resettle here after imprisonment overseas; to bring about changes to public policy and programmes regarding people seeking to return to Ireland on licence from the UK and people seeking to transfer their sentence to an Irish prison
Methods: SubmissionEmail
Details by Method
Submission
Completion and submission of online form;The Global Diaspora Consultation was carried out by a consultancy firm for the Department of Foreign AffairsNeale Richmond TD is the Minister responsible for the Global Irish Diaspora Consultation but neither e-mail or form were sent directly to him
Email
One online form and e-mail;The Global Diaspora Consultation was carried out by a consultancy firm for the Department of Foreign AffairsNeale Richmond TD is the Minister responsible for the Global Irish Diaspora Consultation but neither e-mail or form were sent directly to him
Politician(s) lobbied: Fiona Penollar (Director General), Department of Foreign Affairs
Intent: For the Department of Foreign Affairs to consider a multi-annual funding commitment for a funded entity.
Methods: MeetingEmail
Details by Method
Meeting
A meeting took place on 29 May 2025 in Iveagh House, St Stephen's Green, Dublin 2 with Ms Fiona Pennollar, Director General for Citizen Services Division who was accompanied by Mr Rory Geraghty, Ms Ciara McGaughey and Mr Patrick McDonagh
Email
To arrange a meeting with representatives from the Department of Foreign Affairs
Politician(s) lobbied: Neale Richmond (Minister of State), Department of Foreign Affairs; Neale Richmond (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas
Intent: 1) To outline our concerns regarding Irish people imprisoned abroad and the issues they face when they return home in order to improve their experience. 2) Meeting with the Minister to outline our concerns regarding Irish people imprisoned abroad and those wishing to return home to serve their sentence or while released on licence. 3) Policy change to allow the few Irish people wishing to return to Ireland while on licence from the UK to do so.
Methods: Meeting
Details by Method
Meeting
Attended an Interdepartmental Committee on the Irish Abroad which was convened by the DFA and chaired by Minister of State for International Development & Diaspora, Neale Richmond TD on Monday, 23 June 2025Agenda1. Welcome & approval of the minutes of last meeting. 2. Update on development of the next Diaspora Strategy 3. Update from Partners - a. Back for Business andb. Safehome4. Services for Returning Emigrantsa. Presentation by Bank of Ireland5. AOB
Politician(s) lobbied: Jim O'Callaghan (Minister), Department of Justice
Intent: 1) Meeting with the Minister to outline our concerns regarding Irish people imprisoned abroad and those wishing to return home to serve their sentence or while released on licence2) Policy change to allow the few Irish people wishing to return to Ireland while on licence from the UK to do so.3) Improvements to current process to make it quicker and more efficient thus enabling transfers of Irish prisoners back to Ireland close to their families.
Methods: Letter
Details by Method
Letter
Letter sent by Ms Leslie Alcock to Minister for Justice, Mr Jim O'Callaghan TDLetter received from Minister’s Office in reply to letter sent by Leslie Alcock
Politician(s) lobbied: Unknown
Intent: Unknown
Methods: Unknown
Details by Method
Method not specified
Unknown
