Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 3 February 2004
191 Ms McManus asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he is planning to introduce legislation to control or regulate political lobbying; when the promised code of conduct for staff and members of local authorities will be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2867/04]
View answerSeparate draft national codes of conduct for councillors and staff of local authorities dealing with conduct and standards of integrity have been produced and views on them have been sought from the local government associations, staff interests, local authority managers, the Department of Finance and the Standards in Public Office Commission. Following consideration of these views I intend to have these codes in place by mid-year.
As a first step with regard to lobbyists, my Department had asked the Institute of Public Administration to undertake preliminary research on the position regarding lobbyists in other countries with particular emphasis on regulatory aspects and this report is expected within the next few weeks. The issue of regulating lobbyists, and the question of possible legislation is a complex one and will be further considered when the Institute's report is received and taking account of other current legislative proposals and initiatives in this area.
