Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)

As the Deputy will be aware the programme for Government contains a commitment to introduce a statutory register of lobbyists and rules governing the conduct of lobbying. In addition, the public service reform programme, launched in November 2011, contains a commitment to prepare legislation to meet these objectives through the publication of legislation early in 2013. My Department is currently engaged in developing proposals for consideration by me and, in due course, the Government on implementation of these commitments.

A review of international approaches to the regulation of lobbyists was commenced late last year. In December 2011, submissions were invited from interested parties on key issues relating to options for the design, structure and implementation of an effective regulatory system for lobbying in Ireland. The consultation process was based on the agreed OECD Principles for Transparency and Integrity in Lobbying which was the subject of a recommendation by the OECD Council in February 2010. The response to the consultation process was positive, with approximately 60 organisations and individuals submitting views to my Department.

A policy paper is being finalised on the basis of further research and analysis, in particular on the key issues highlighted in the submissions received as well as from subsequent meetings with some contributors to the consultation process undertaken. I intend to publish this paper shortly to communicate the main elements of the proposed lobbying legislation. Following publication of the paper, a public seminar will be held in July to provide a further opportunity for discussion on the proposals, in particular on the key implementation issues raised during the consultation process.

Preliminary work has commenced on the preparation of an outline scheme of a lobbying Bill for approval by the Government in due course based on the lobbying regulations in other jurisdictions as well as several Private Members' Bills published on this topic over the years.

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