Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 8 November 2016
270. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he is satisfied with the implementation to date of the Regulation of Lobbying Act 2015; the mechanisms in place to ensure compliance with the Act; if he proposes any further public initiatives to draw public attention to the details of the Act; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33858/16]
View answerResponsibility for the implementation of the Regulation of Lobbying Act 2015 rests with the Standards in Public Office Commission (SIPOC). SIPOC has established a register for recording lobbying activity which may be viewed at www.lobbying.ie. SIPOC is an independent statutory body and as such is not accountable to the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform or to the Government in the performance of its functions.
The first three reporting deadlines for those who have lobbied designated public officials have now passed. Those who undertook any lobbying since 1 September 2015 were required to register and submit returns of their lobbying activity on the online Register. I am very pleased with the level of compliance achieved in these initial return periods. There are currently more than 1,490 organisations and individuals who have registered, and almost 7,500 returns have been submitted to the Register.
The information available on the Register provides the Irish public with unprecedented insight into the role that lobbying plays in contributing to policy and funding discussions and decisions. Communication between the political systems, public service and all sectors of society is, and will continue to be, supported and strengthened by this Register leading to better informed policy and decision making. The overall level of compliance is a very positive indicator that there is an acceptance of the need for openness and transparency in lobbying.
It is clear that the work undertaken by my Department and the SIPOC in building awareness and understanding of the Regulation of Lobbying Act 2015 has been effective and I am confident that this momentum will be maintained as this work continues.
Currently, part 4 of the Regulation of Lobbying Act 2015, which relates to enforcement provisions, has not been commenced. This was a deliberate decision made to allay any concerns that stakeholders may have had about inadvertent non-compliance with the provisions of the Act and to allow those lobbying a period of time to become familiar with their legal obligations and the registration system. Given the success of the system, and the high levels of compliance, I have decided to commence these provisions from 1 January 2017. The SIPOC is preparing for the commencement of these enforcement provisions and is actively engaging with Registrants to ensure that they are aware of the requirement to submit returns (including nil returns) on time and to make them aware that enforcement provisions will commence with effect from 1 January 2017.
The Commission's focus in the first year of the Act's commencement has been on building understanding and encouraging compliance with the Act. To that end, a significant amount of outreach and education initiatives throughout the past year has served to create awareness and understanding of the Act and its obligations among those who may be lobbying. The website has been populated with helpful information for both potential registrants and those whom they lobby featuring tailored guidelines for lobbyists and designated public officials, instructional videos, sample returns and frequently asked questions. This emphasis on education and outreach has proven effective. The SIPOC continues to regularly engage with stakeholders through presentations, publications and events, as well as through its website. It also conducts regular information sessions for any interested member of the public, who may register their interest on lobbying.ie.
Finally, my Department is currently undertaking the first review of the operation of the Regulation of Lobbying Act 2015 as required under section 2 of the Act. A public consultation process has already taken place and submissions received are now being examined. The Report on this review will cover the findings, conclusions drawn from these findings and any recommendations for amendments to the legislation consequent of these findings. Subsequent reviews will be required every 3 years.
