Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 2 July 2015
122. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if she will provide, in tabular form, the number of requests for meetings she has received from private, external, non-State-funded lobby groups; the number of meetings she has held with these groups; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26704/15]
View answerAs the Deputy will appreciate, in view of the range of my remit as Minister I receive representations, including requests for meetings from a broad range of sources, including members of the Oireachtas, local and voluntary groups and private individuals and companies.
While my Office does not maintain a register of all such requests for meetings or invitations received, I can advise the Deputy that the information sought is being compiled and will be provided to him as soon as possible.
The Deputy will be aware that the Regulation of Lobbying Act 2015 has recently been enacted by the Oireachtas and will commence on 1 September 2015. The Act provides that the Standards in Public Office Commission (the Standards Commission) will establish and maintain an online register of lobbying and oversee compliance with the legislative provisions. The purpose of the register will be to make information available to the public on the identity of those communicating with designated public officials. Persons lobbying will have to register with the Standards Commission and will be required to submit returns on their lobbying activities.
