Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 24 July 2018
2691. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the number and name of the groups he met each month to date in 2018 that fall under the Regulation of Lobbying Act 2015; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33713/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe 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. Where lobbying activities defined under the Act with designated public officials are being engaged in by lobbyists, then the Act requires that the lobbyists involved must provide information at regular intervals about their lobbying activities to the Standards in Public Office Commission. The Standards in Public Office Commission has established an easily searchable and free to use online register of lobbying at www.lobbying.ie.
