Johnny Mythen (Wexford, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I thank my colleagues, Deputies Doherty and Mairéad Farrell, for introducing this Bill. Any Bill that improves the accountability of Government and protects the public interest must be welcomed. The current situation of revolving doors and free hall passes for former Ministers and senior officials to move with ease between public office and lobbying roles, having gained valuable inside information, must be addressed. The consequences of fobbing off this Bill to a review will further erode public confidence in the integrity of democracy and governmental decision-making. We have already had two reviews, in 2016 and 2019, which failed in their feeble attempts to change the process. The situations of Brian Hayes and Michael D'Arcy are prime examples of that failure.

The public wants the immediate strengthening of the Regulation of Lobbying Act 2015. The provisions set out in this Bill will make sure that transparency and accountability are to the fore. For too long, lobbyists were able to avoid their obligations under the current legislation, including by destroying records, text messages and emails. For too long, lobbyists were obliged only to have regard to the code of conduct rather than having to adhere strictly to it. This Bill will give the power to SIPO to investigate and sanction persons or bodies that destroy records. It will give SIPO the power to publish an anonymised summary of the details of investigations of breaches of the legislation. Most important, the Bill will extend to two years the period before which high-ranking civil servants, Ministers, Ministers of State and Government officials can switch to a lobbying role for big corporations and powerful individuals.

The Bill will have a positive outcome for democracy and transparency. It will prevent the possibility of members of Government, advisers and officials seeking out lobbyists who can provide a position to justify their pre-chosen actions for the benefit of themselves or their vested interests. I would expect Members on all sides of the House to support the Bill in the full interest of the public, whom we all serve.

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