Niall Collins (Limerick County, Fianna Fail)
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294. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if under the lobbyist register it is expected that calls from lobbyists are recorded; if this is the practice in his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17990/18]

Charles Flanagan (Laois, Fine Gael)
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The Regulation of Lobbying Act 2015 (the Act) obliges lobbyists to register on the Register of Lobbying website which is maintained by The Standards In Public Office Commission. Lobbyists are required to provide information to the Commission three times a year. The information provided can be viewed and searched by the public free of charge.

The Act does not set out any formal obligations for Designated Public Officials to register, submit returns or validate information contained in the returns submitted by lobbyists. The Standards in Public Office Commission has, however, identified a number of best practices for Designated Public Officials which with regard to record keeping include the importance of maintaining good record keeping habits. The Human Resources Division of my Department advises officials who are Designated Public Officials of their obligations under the Act and I am assured that all of my officials act in accordance with their obligations in this regard.