Alcohol Forum Ireland

Unknown

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.

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 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.

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 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.

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

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.

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.

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 communication between MaCYSS Under 18s alcohol and drug support service in Cavan Monaghan and Councillor Niall Smith as part of a review of funding for all alcohol and other drug support services in Cavan and Monaghan initiated by the Cavan Alcohol and Drug Forum. A Parliamentary Question was subsequently raised by Niamh Smith TD regarding HSE funding for alcohol and drug services in the region.

Emails sent to Tanaiste, Minister for Foreign Affairs and Minister for Health

Follow up by phone from written correspondence to Senator Aubrey McCarthy to ask that he would raise matters relating to the inclusion of alcohol in the new national drug strategy in the Seanad. Matters raised by Senator McCarthy.

Follow up to response from Deputy Coppinger to our email and policy document sent as part of mass communication circulated to all Oireachtas members in June. Deputy Coppinger indicated that she would raise Parlimentary Questions in regard to the matters raised.

Follow up to response in June from Deputy Shay Brennan TF to email and policy document sent as part of mass communication circulated to all Oireachtas members in June. Deputy Brennan indicated that he would raise matters within the Fianna Fail party

Letter and a series of follow up communications with the Minister for Health Promotion and the National Drugs Strategy requesting a meeting with a delegation from the Coalition for Better Alcohol Policy.

Letter and a series of follow up communications with the Minister for Health, Jennifer Carroll MacNeill requesting a meeting with a delegation from the Coalition for Better Alcohol Policy.

Member organisations in north Dublin who had signed up to the Coalition for Better Alcohol Policy were supported to write Paul McCauliffe TD in their constituency to seek a meeting.

Member organisations who had signed up to the Coalition for Better alcohol policy were supported to write to TD's and Senators in their constituency regarding the need for inclusion of alcohol as a priority in the new national drugs strategy.

Member organisations who had signed up to the Coalition for Better alcohol policy were supported to write to TD's and Senators in their constituency regarding the need for inclusion of alcohol as a priority in the new national drugs strategy.

Numbers of emails sent and received from and by Alcohol Forum Ireland colleagues seeking that Senator Manus Boyle support the Coalition For Better Alcohol Policy's request to appear before the Oireachtas Health Committee. Positive responses received from Senator Boyle

Numbers of emails sent to Donegal Deputies Padraig McLoughlin and Pearse Doherty seeking support for the Coalition for Better Alcohol Policy from Donegal members of the Coalition

Online meeting on July 3rd of Paula Leonard with Paul McCauliffe TD and four members of the Coalition for Better Alcohol Policy

Online meeting with Deputy Padraig Rice TD regarding a number of issues relating to the campaign of the Coalition for Better Alcohol Policy. A number of issues were discussed: Parlimentary questions Oireachtas Health Committee Organisation of a AV Oireachtas Briefing

Written correspondence to Deputy Paul McCauliffe TD, with regard to the submission of a number of PQ's requesting that the Minister for Health and the Minister for Health Promotion for the National Drugs Strategy would meet with a delegation from the Coalition for Better Alcohol Policy; seeking clarity on the timeline for the publication of the Strategy and seeking clarity on the inclusion of alcohol in the new national drug strategy.

Written correspondence to the Chair and members of the Oireachtas Health Committee outlining concerns of the Coalition for Better Alcohol Policy and asking that the Coalition's request to appear before the Committee would be supported.

Written correspondence to the Clerk of the Oireachtas Health Committee asking that the Coalition for Better Alcohol Policy be invited to appear before the Committee on matters relating to the inclusion of alcohol in the new national drugs strategy.

Letters signed by over 70 coalition members across grass roots services, recovery groups, drug and alcohol task forces, treatment, policy, advocacy and research were submitted to both the Minister for Health and the Minister of State with responsibility for Public Health and the National Drug strategy.

AFI were part of joint letters to Taoiseach, Tánaiste, Minister for Health, Chief Medical Officer with regard to these matters.

Number of emails and follow up phone calls with the constituency office of Matt Carty TD

Postcard to the Minister for Health 'Does this look like alcohol advertising to you'

Attendance and presentation by zoom at a meeting organised by the Southern Regional Drug and Alcohol Task Force.