Robert Troy (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail)
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231. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of meetings requested by private external lobby groups and the number of meetings held in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43592/15]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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As you will appreciate, in view of the range of my remit as Minister I receive representations, including requests for meetings from a broad range of sources, including members of the Oireachtas, local and voluntary groups, private individuals, companies and representative associations.

While my Office does not maintain a register of all such requests for meetings or invitations received, I can advise that since January 2014, I have attended some 65 meetings with private external lobby groups. This figure would not include informal unscheduled meetings that might arise from time to time.

You will be aware that the Regulation of Lobbying Act 2015 has recently been enacted by the Oireachtas. The Act provides that the Standards in Public Office Commission (the Standards Commission) will establish and maintain an online register of lobbying and oversee compliance with the legislative provisions. The purpose of the register is to make information available to the public on the identity of those communicating with designated public officials. Persons lobbying are required to register with the Standards Commission and are also required to submit returns on their lobbying activities.