Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 24 April 2018
324. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation if, under the lobbyist register, it is expected that calls from lobbyists are recorded; if this is the practice in her Department; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17993/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraPolicy responsibility for the regulation of lobbying lies with the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform.
Public bodies have specific responsibilities under the Regulation of Lobbying Act 2015. The Act requires each public body to publish a list showing the name, grade and brief details of the role and responsibilities for each person that is a “designated public official” for the purposes of the Act. My Department maintains an up to date list of its designated public officials on its website. Emails sent by designated public officials in my Department indicate that the sender is a designated public official and that the recipient may need to assess whether any particular communication with them requires to be registered in accordance with the Act.
The Regulation of Lobbying Act places responsibility for assessing whether any particular communication may constitute lobbying, and for recording details of any lobbying carried out, with the lobbyist. The Act places no obligation on public bodies to record details of communications that may be considered to be lobbying. My Department does not therefore maintain a record of communications that may be considered to be lobbying.
