Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)

There is no delay whatever in bringing forward the legislation on the regulation of lobbyists. The legislation is being prepared in the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform and it is expected that the heads of the Bill will be ready by the end of the summer. When the heads are ready, they will go to Government and arrangements will then be made for the formal drafting of the legislation. There is no delay whatever. The legislation is being worked on.

The Government made a commitment in its programme for Government that there will be legislation to regulate the activity of lobbyists and to ensure there is a register of lobbyists and transparency for the public about lobbying activity. The work is underway and the heads of the Bill are expected to be ready by the end of the summer.

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