Lobbying presentation

2. In memory of Tony
28th April 1977 – 15th October 1999

3. HURT (Have Your Tomorrows) was established in 2002 by a
local woman Sadie O’Reilly who lost her only son Tony to a
drugs overdose three years previously. HURT (Have Your
Tomorrows) is a holistic treatment centre for individuals,
families and their friends who have been affected in any
way by substance use, misuse and abuse. Our family
support centre is a registered charity which provides a
range of emotional support services and complimentary
therapies to those who access our service. In the 12 years
since we were established there has been a significant
increase in the use of illegal drugs within our communities.
In response to this HURT have provided a crucial safety
net for the fall out associated with the increase of use of
these substances. Through our hard work, funding and
donations HURT (Have Your Tomorrows) has steadily grown
and we now have 18 personnel delivering services in Derry
and an outreach centre in Strabane and programmes
throughout the North West.

4. Lobbying is the act of attempting to influence
decisions made by officials in a government,
most often legislators or members of regulatory
agencies.
Lobbying is done by many types of people,
associations and organised groups, including
individuals in the private sector, corporations,
fellow legislators or government officials,
or advocacy groups (interest groups).

5. “Too often government
responds to the whispers of
lobbyists before the cries of
the people.” (DK)

8.  There are over 13,900 registered lobbyists
in Washington D.C.
 In the US generally there are over 100,000
paid lobbyists bringing in 9 billion US dollars
annually.

9. Just Coincidence....
Shortly before the 1997 general election Bernie
Ecclestone the head of Formula One donated
£1 million to the Labour party; after Labour's
victory and after a meeting between Tony
Blair and Mr Ecclestone the Department of
Health sought exemption for Formula One
from the EU’s proposed ban on tobacco
advertising.

10. Jonathon Aitkin, previously Minister of State for Defence
Procurement under John Major in 1992 was jailed in 1999
in relation to the Arms-to-Iraq scandal. Prior to becoming
minister he had been a director of an arms
company BMARC, and was accused by World in Action of
staying in the Ritz in Paris paid for by BMARC. After the
programme he was quoted
“ It falls to me to start a fight to cut out the cancer of bent
and twisted journalism in our country with the simple
sword of truth and the trusty shield of British fair play, so
be it. I am ready for the fight. The fight against falsehood
and those who peddle it. My fight begins today. Thank you
and good afternoon”.
Later jailed for 18 months after pleading guilty to lying.

11. Freedom of information request
in July 2007 showed that BAA
executives met the Department
for Transport 117 times between
2002 and 2007, including 24
meetings with the Secretary of
State.
In 2008, supporters of the
anti-aviation lobby
group Plane Stupid managed
to get onto the roof of
the Palace of Westminster
and dropped a banner
reading 'BAA HQ'

12.  HURT has met with the Health Minister on two occasions, and made
a separate presentation to the Health Committee.
 Mixed views on these meetings felt as though it was a conveyor belt
for the meeting with the health committee. We were wheeled in
and out within 15 minutes, doubt if left any lasting impression and
didn’t receive any feedback.
 Met with the previous Health Minister within the past year.
Accompanied by the chair of the Health Committee and a number
of family members and service users.
 Service user spoke very well about her experiences and how she
was unable to access rehabilitation facilities (she was aged 16)
appeared to made a big impact on the Health Minister.
 The Health Minister spoke after the meeting personally with the
young person and asked for her contact details. However that
minister lost his job within a few weeks and no contact was ever
made.

13.  HURT were lobbying for services to be provided
by the PHA for residential facilities for children
under 18 where none currently exist.
 The Health Minister and his officials accepted
that the PHA had an obligation to provide this
service and that there was a budget set aside for
this.
 Almost one year on nothing has changed this
facility is still not available. We still cannot get
in-house services for anyone under 18.

14.  I accept that for some, lobbying has been effective and has
paid off and they were able to influence in a positive way
legislation affecting their area of work.
 After the death of a 13 year old girl in the US caused by a
drunk driver a number of mothers started a campaign
MADD (Mothers Against Drunk Driving ) This led to most
states reducing the level of acceptable blood alcohol level
with some indications that this has cut drink driving deaths
by almost 50% over a five year period.
 Where we feel it is important to make representations on
behalf of our service users we will still continue to lobby.
 I would encourage anyone who feels that they need to
highlight their issues to consider lobbying if it is well
planned.
 Thank you and happy to take any questions if you wish.