Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour) | Oireachtas source

The onus falls on the lobbyist to register and not on the person lobbied. This is the international model. We had this debate with the Senator's colleague in the other House on Ministers attending, for instance, a Council meeting abroad. If Members of this House were on a foreign visit and someone made contact with the Member there, it would be very burdensome and a reversal of what I intend if the Member would have to ask the person if they are registered and to tell them that they must register in the Irish jurisdiction.

Senator Sheahan asked a question on the charge for registration. We are setting up an online registration system. This is being worked on at the moment. There will be no charge for registration.

Senator van Turnhout spoke about the intention of the Bill. This goes to the heart of it. I will use a phrase that is probably inelegant. It is to capture more the Galway tent than the Sister Stan, if Senators understand what I am saying. At the same time, it is not possible for me to craft law which provides that lobbying with which I agree is acceptable while lobbying I do not like is unacceptable.