Seán Fleming (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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Question 283: To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the expected timelines for progressing the Government's new lobbying legislation; the list of stakeholders currently participating in the process and the steps open to any bodies who wish to engage with his Department on this matter and are currently not included in that list; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36801/12]

Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
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As the Deputy is aware the Programme for Government contains a commitment to introduce a statutory register of lobbyists and rules governing the conduct of lobbying. The fundamental objective of this commitment, which guides the proposed policy approach, is to ensure that there is an appropriate degree of transparency regarding lobbying activity.

The timeline for this approach is contained in the Public Service Reform Plan 2011 which contains a commitment to prepare legislation to meet these objectives in 2012 with planned publication of a Bill early in 2013. In line with this commitment my Department is currently progressing its consultation with stakeholders and it is intended to present Heads of a Bill to Government in the Autumn. I have already indicated that I will then submit the Heads of the Bill to the Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform Committee for its consideration.

The list of stakeholders who responded to the consultation process is attached and is also available on my Departments website together with the submissions received.

I published a policy paper on 4th July last setting out the key issues and my Department's proposals for progressing the legislative arrangements. I will also shortly be publishing on the website the outcome of consultations at the recent conference on lobbying held at Farmleigh on 5th July last. I would very much welcome further views on the policy paper. Anyone, whether an individual or body, who wishes to engage in the consultation process can do so by contacting the Government Reform Unit of my Department.