Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour) | Oireachtas source

The Deputy asked two net questions and I want to try to be as clear as I can in regard to them. In regard to the definition of what constitutes a public sector service body, it is any public body which has a pre-existing public service pension scheme. That includes all those the Deputy mentioned. As far as we are aware, they all have a pre-existing public service pension scheme and they are all captured. I hope that answers the Deputy's first question.

The second question related to the exemptions in the Schedule. The interpretation the Deputy just gave is right. I think I explained this in some detail to Deputy McDonald in regard to her amendment, but in terms of the shareholding function and corporate governance, those communications would not be subject to registering of lobbyists but normal communications outside of that would be, so lobbying outside the shareholding function, as defined in section 5(4)(m) would not be exempt.

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