Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 2 November 2016
252. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if NAMA is subject to the Regulation of Lobbying Act 2015; if it is required to submit a return if it lobbies a person; if it is required to submit a return if it lobbies a company or organisation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32712/16]
Amharc ar fhreagra254. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the number of returns made by NAMA under the Regulation of Lobbying Act 2015 since the legislation was enacted; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32722/16]
Amharc ar fhreagra255. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the number of returns made in respect of NAMA under the Regulation of Lobbying Act 2015 since the legislation was enacted; the detail of the returns, in tabular form, broken down by years, individuals and organisations by name [32723/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 252, 254 and 255 together.
Under section 7 (f) of the Regulation of Lobbying Act 2015 the National Asset Management Agency (NAMA) is defined as a public service body for the purposes of the Act.
In accordance with section 5 (5) (k) of the Act, communications made by a person who is employed by or holds any office or another position in a public service body are exempt, where the person is acting in that capacity within the body and the communications relate to the functions of the public service body. This provision also applies to persons engaged for the purposes of the body. This means these communications are not regarded as lobbying activities under the Act.
NAMA is not therefore required to register or submit returns to the lobbying register under the Act.
In accordance with the information publicly available on the lobbying register, there have been no returns made in respect of NAMA since the Act commenced on 1 September 2015.
The website at www.lobbying.ie, which includes the easily searchable and free to use online register, also has a suite of information tools designed to help lobbyists, designated public officials and the public to fully understand the Act and its obligations.
