Politician(s) lobbied: Sorca Clarke (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas
Intent: To influence the development of the proposed legislation to ensure that AI cannot substitute for appropriately qualified professionals in the provision of mental health and therapeutic services, while establishing proportionate safeguards and regulatory oversight that protect the public, clearly define the scope of regulated AI use, and allow for appropriate education, training and responsible innovation.
Methods: Email
Details by Method
Email
oint written feedback provided to Sorca Clarke TD on the draft Bill concerning AI therapy, with recommendations intended to strengthen definitions, safeguards and regulatory provisions and ensure that the legislation protects against AI replacing professional mental health and therapeutic services without unnecessarily restricting appropriate uses of AI.
Politician(s) lobbied: Frances Black (Senator), Seanad; Teresa Costello (Senator), Seanad; Nicole Ryan (Senator), Seanad; Laura Harmon (Senator), Seanad; Patricia Stephenson (Senator), Seanad; Maria McCormack (Senator), Seanad; Eileen Flynn (Senator), Seanad; Anne Rabbitte (Senator), Seanad; Sarah O'Reilly (Senator), Seanad
Intent: To secure further development and effective implementation of the HSE Autism Assessment and Intervention Pathway Protocol, including robust training and supervision structures, a detailed competency framework, stronger clinical governance, appropriate workforce planning and resourcing, and continued progression towards a comprehensive neurodevelopmental pathway across public services.
Methods: Email
Details by Method
Email
Direct email communication to Senators sharing the PSI’s response to the HSE Autism Assessment and Intervention Pathway Protocol. The PSI outlined recommendations concerning clinical governance, professional training and supervision, competency standards, workforce planning and resourcing, and the further development of comprehensive neurodevelopmental pathways within public services.
Politician(s) lobbied: David Cullinane (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Sorca Clarke (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Pearse Doherty (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Marie Sherlock (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Pádraig Rice (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Liam Quaide (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Ged Nash (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Cian O'Callaghan (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas
Intent: To secure further development and effective implementation of the HSE Autism Assessment and Intervention Pathway Protocol, including robust training and supervision structures, a detailed competency framework, stronger clinical governance, appropriate workforce planning and resourcing, and continued progression towards a comprehensive neurodevelopmental pathway across public services.
Methods: Email
Details by Method
Email
Direct email communication to opposition representatives sharing the PSI’s response to the HSE Autism Assessment and Intervention Pathway Protocol. The PSI outlined recommendations concerning clinical governance, professional training and supervision, competency standards, workforce planning and resourcing, and the further development of comprehensive neurodevelopmental pathways within public services.
Politician(s) lobbied: Mary Butler (Government Chief Whip and Minister), Department of the Taoiseach; Jennifer Carroll MacNeill (Minister), Department of Health; Norma Foley (Minister), Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth
Intent: To secure further development and effective implementation of the HSE Autism Assessment and Intervention Pathway Protocol, including robust training and supervision structures, a detailed competency framework, stronger clinical governance, appropriate workforce planning and resourcing, and continued progression towards a comprehensive neurodevelopmental pathway across public services.
Methods: Email
Details by Method
Email
Direct email communication to Government representatives sharing the PSI’s response to the HSE Autism Assessment and Intervention Pathway Protocol. The PSI outlined recommendations concerning clinical governance, professional training and supervision, competency standards, workforce planning and resourcing, and the further development of comprehensive neurodevelopmental pathways within public services.
Politician(s) lobbied: Marie Sherlock (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Pádraig Rice (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Liam Quaide (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Rory Hearne (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; David Cullinane (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Sorca Clarke (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas
Intent: To secure Government commitment to the effective implementation of the Mental Health Act 2026, including sustained investment in resources, strategic workforce planning and continued service development to ensure the rights-based and person-centred provisions of the legislation are fully realised in practice.
Methods: Email
Details by Method
Email
Direct email communication to Opposition representatives sharing the PSI press release on the enactment of the Mental Health Act 2026. The communication welcomed the new legislation and emphasised the need for effective implementation through sustained investment, strategic workforce planning and continued service development.
Politician(s) lobbied: Mary Butler (Government Chief Whip and Minister), Department of the Taoiseach; Jennifer Carroll MacNeill (Minister), Department of Health
Intent: To secure Government commitment to the effective implementation of the Mental Health Act 2026, including sustained investment in resources, strategic workforce planning and continued service development to ensure the rights-based and person-centred provisions of the legislation are fully realised in practice.
Methods: Email
Details by Method
Email
Direct email communication to Government representatives sharing the PSI press release on the enactment of the Mental Health Act 2026. The communication welcomed the new legislation and emphasised the need for effective implementation through sustained investment, strategic workforce planning and continued service development.
Politician(s) lobbied: Mary Butler (Minister of State), Department of Health
Intent: Psychological Society of Ireland representation in the Seanad and the Dail Eireann during the final readings of the Mental Health Bill 2024 in both Houses, to ensure the PSI would be present when the Bill was signed off by the Oireachtas
Methods: Email
Details by Method
Email
Back and forth with Amy Brennan, Minister Butler's Private Secretary, coordinating access to the Dail Eireann and Seanad galleries during readings of the Mental Health Bill 2024
Politician(s) lobbied: Nicole Ryan (Senator), Seanad; Teresa Costello (Senator), Seanad; Tom Clonan (Senator), Seanad; Maria Byrne (Senator), Seanad; Manus Boyle (Senator), Seanad; Marie Sherlock (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Peter Roche (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Pádraig O'Sullivan (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Martin Daly (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; David Cullinane (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Sorca Clarke (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Michael Cahill (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Colm Burke (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Pádraig Rice (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas
Intent: To secure national policy and service reform ensuring pregnancy and infant loss is embedded as core maternity care, with psychological support integrated, consistent pathways developed, and families treated with dignity and compassion.
Methods: Submission
Details by Method
Submission
Submission sent to the Joint Committee on Health to provide evidence-informed recommendations on service reform for pregnancy and infant loss, including trauma-informed care, bereavement pathways, dedicated services, alert systems, and staff training.
Politician(s) lobbied: Sorca Clarke (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas
Intent: To encourage Deputy Clarke and other members of the Oireachtas to begin crafting legislative action to ban AI ‘therapy’ in Ireland, protect vulnerable individuals, and ensure that psychological services are delivered only by trained human professionals.
Methods: Meeting
Details by Method
Meeting
The meeting focused on PSI’s perspective on banning the use of AI 'therapy' and the steps that Deputy Clarke will take to start the legislative process of introducing a bill to ban the practice in Ireland
Politician(s) lobbied: Mary Butler (Minister of State), Department of Health; Ian Power (Special Adviser), Department of the Taoiseach
Intent: Secure Minister Butler’s participation and address at the PSI Annual Conference to facilitate engagement between policymakers and psychology professionals, highlighting the Society’s work and ongoing engagement with the Department of Health.
Methods: EmailLetter
Details by Method
Email
Emails between the PSI and Minister Butler's office confirming Minister Butler's attendance to the PSI Annual Conference
Letter
Letter issued on 09 April 2026 from PSI President inviting Minister to address conference delegates and provide ongoing engagement with the Society
