Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 8 December 2015
108. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the number of meetings requested by private external lobby groups and the number of meetings held, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43605/15]
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.
I meet with a wide number of groups and organisations in the normal course of my duties both formally and informally. While my Office does not maintain a register of all such requests for meetings or invitations received, I can advise the Deputy that since 2014, I have attended some 150 meetings with a variety of individuals and groups, including meetings with representatives of those bodies under the aegis of my Department and other public representatives. These figures would not include informal unscheduled meetings that might arise from time to time.
I have met with groups such as St. Vincent de Paul, Social Justice Ireland, Barnardo’s, Age Action Ireland, Alone, Carer's Association, Centre for Independent Living, Children's Rights Alliance, DFI, EAPN, FLAC, Focus Ireland, Irish Council for Social Housing, Inclusion Ireland, INOU, Irish Senior Citizens Parliament, Threshold, One Family and Simon formally, I would also meet members of these groups and others informally, in my duties while attending events both as Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection.
The Deputy will be aware that the Regulation of Lobbying Act 2015 has recently been enacted by the Oireachtas and commenced 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 is to make information available to the public on the identity of those communicating with designated public officials. Persons lobbying have to register with the Standards Commission and are required to submit returns on their lobbying activities.
