Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour) | Oireachtas source

I thank Senator van Turnhout for her amendment and for the correspondence and the discussions we have had on this matter. I want to formally clarify on the record of the House that registering on this website once it has been established will have no impact on a person's application for, entitlement to or consideration of any matter referred to in section 5(9)(c) of the Bill. The Bill is not intended to discourage communication of these issues and will have no impact - negatively, positively, or any other way - on that. I have provided for clarity the formal advice I have received from the Attorney General on the impact of this provision. There are of course already rules in place in relation to certain matters where lobbying is inappropriate and might lead to disqualification. I refer, for example, to jobs advertised on publicjobs.ie. That is sui generis. People will understand that. I hope what I have said will be fully accepted by Senator van Turnhout.

The Senator has also asked me to write to my ministerial colleagues to draw attention to this issue. I intend to communicate with Ministers and other designated public officials on the details of this legislation and all its practical implications, including this point. I will be happy to address this issue as part of that communication. The review of the Act will also provide an opportunity to assess further, in the light of experience, whether this legislation is applying as we fully intend it to. The intention of the Bill is not to change the type of current behaviour as instanced by Senators Norris and van Turnhout. Proper lobbying is a vital component of our democratic process. It is not my intention to put that in jeopardy. I probably spoke flippantly last week when I said I am in favour of normal lobbying for the public good, as opposed to the vested interest type lobbying which is not for the public good. As I said last week, I want to put the sort of lobbying that used to take place in the Galway tent under the microscope. The normal good work of charitable organisations that are involved in advocacy for homelessness, the disability sector or any other area of activity is absolutely to be protected. I hope those assurances will assuage Senator van Turnhout's concerns and obviate the need to pursue the amendment.