Sinéad Gibney (Dublin Rathdown, Social Democrats)
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240. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if his attention has been drawn to a report, (details supplied); the steps he will take to address these deficiencies; if he will undertake to publish the list of meetings held between the ambassadors and interest representatives on the as a matter of urgency on the Permanent Representative Office’s website in order to ensure transparency; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21289/25]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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The Civil Society Europe report is a useful comparative exercise, however, it fails to adequately reflect the full extent of the Department of Foreign Affairs’ and the Permanent Representation to the EU’s commitment to transparency. There is in fact extensive detail on the PRB’s internal structures on the Department and PRB websites, including a full updated (March 2025) staff list and organigram. In line with best information security practice, individual officer contact details are not published, instead web-based contact forms; a managed central email system (augmented shortly by sectoral emails for each business unit) and a serviced phone switchboard are available to the public to make contact. On transparency, my Department is committed to operating in a transparent and accountable manner and ensures compliance with its obligations under the Freedom of Information Act 2014, the Data Protection Acts, and the Regulation of Lobbying Act 2015. A list of designated Public Officials under the Regulation of Lobbying Act is kept up to date on the Department’s website and lobbying returns are available on the Standards in Public Office Commission website www.lobbying.ie.

Ireland supports transparency within the EU Institutions, in regard to briefings for civil society organisations, co-operation and support for the EU Ombudsman and Ireland’s membership of the Friends of Transparency Group in the Council. Ireland through its Permanent Representation regularly facilitates and supports the release of information under the EU’s Freedom of Information process.