Thomas Pringle (Donegal South West, Independent)

I thank the Tánaiste. It seems the long finger is certainly out in regard to this issue and that the Labour Party has gone over to the dark side on it. We need this mandatory register of lobbyists. It is not complex legislation and it should not be difficult to compile. It is more than 16 months since the Government committed to ensuring a list would be provided and yet we have seen the reports of the Moriarty and Mahon tribunals and the damage lobbyists for vested interests have done to this State in the past. The Government needs to put it on the record that it is a matter of urgency and ensure a mandatory register of lobbyists is brought forward without any further delay.

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