Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 10 October 2017
741. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the number of occasions on which he has been lobbied in respect of the Public Health (Alcohol) Bill since March 2016; the persons he has met; the dates of these meetings; the details of the basis of the lobbying; his views on the issues raised; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42294/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraOwing to the scope of my remit as Minister, I receive representations from a wide range of parties, including public representatives, local and voluntary groups and private individuals and organisations.
A small number of representations were received in my Department in connection with the Public Health (Alcohol) Bill. These were forwarded directly to the Department of Health as it is within its area of responsibility.
At their request, I met the following who sought an opportunity to discuss the Alcohol Bill with me:
- 10 July 2017 - Rosemary Garth, Director of Communications & Corporate Affairs, Irish Distillers; Bríd Murphy, Red Flag Consulting;
- 26 July 2017 - Jonathan McDade, Senior Executive, the Alcohol Beverage Federation of Ireland (trade association); Liam Reid, Corporate Relations Director, Diageo; Barry Costello, Trade Marketing Controller, Edward Dillon; Martin Mackin,
Q4PR.
I noted the views expressed at the meetings and indicated that the matters involved should be pursued with the Minister for Health.
The Deputy will be aware that the Regulation of Lobbying Act 2015 provides that the Standards in Public Office Commission, an independent body, is the Registrar of Lobbying. The Act is designed to provide information to the public about who is lobbying whom about what. It also provides for the establishment and maintenance of a register of persons who carry on lobbying activities and for a code of conduct relating to carrying on lobbying activities. The registrar has pointed out that lobbying is an essential part of the democratic process, which enables or facilitates citizens and organisations to make their views on public policy and public services known to politicians and public servants. The Standards in Public Office Commission has established an easily searchable and free to use online register of lobbying at: www.lobbying.ie.
