Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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76. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the number of senior staff members of his Department or of State bodies under the aegis of his Department who are also on the boards of bodies registered for lobbying purposes under the Regulation of Lobbying Act 2015, or on the board of bodies which have had to disclose that they engaged in lobbying State authorities; if it is intended to issue directions as to the appropriateness of such involvement in these bodies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9068/23]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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The Standards in Public Office Commission (SIPO) is responsible for the monitoring of the Ethics in Public Office Acts 1995 and 2001, as well as the Regulation of Lobbying Act 2015.

It has published guidelines under which senior civil servants and officeholders are required to annually furnish a statement in writing of any interests that they, their spouse, or their children have which could materially influence the person in, or in relation to, the performance of the person's official functions.

A statement of interests is not legally required where the interests could not materially influence the person in, or in relation to, the performance of his or her official function.

Under Section 13 of the Civil Service Code of Practice, the use of their official positions by civil servants to benefit themselves or others with whom they have personal or business ties is not allowed. Civil servants are also forbidden to seek to influence decisions on matters pertaining to their official positions other than through established procedures.

The current register of lobbying on lobbying.ie contains 2,454 organisations and individuals, not including client companies/bodies. My Department does not monitor the register, instead relying upon the guidelines and rules set out by SIPO in relation to the Ethics in Public Office Acts.

The information requested in relation to the bodies under the aegis of my Department is an operational matter for each body. The Department will request the relevant bodies to reply directly to the Deputy with the information requested in respect of their organisations.