LOBBYISTS WHO fail to register their activities could be fined €30,000 and jailed for two years under proposed legislation to be published by Fianna Fáil today.
The party said the lobbyists Bill would level the playing field for all stakeholders in public life by ensuring information about lobbying is made publicly available and updated regularly.
Environment spokesman Niall Collins said regulation of lobbyists was urgently needed in advance of the proposed sale of State assets, as this was a process that was likely to involve intensive lobbying by interested parties.
Fianna Fáil said its legislation was underpinned by principles of free and open access to Government and a recognition that lobbying was a legitimate activity.
“There should also be a strong level of transparency on what organisations and individuals are involved in attempting to influence public policy.”
The programme for government includes a commitment to introduce a statutory register of lobbyists but detailed proposals have yet to be advanced.
Last month, Minister for Public Expenditure Brendan Howlin said his department had started looking at practices in other countries in advance of the development of detailed proposals.
The Fianna Fáil Bill provides for a definition of the term lobbyist to reflect the Irish political context, the setting up of a mandatory, publicly available register of lobbyists, and a code of conduct to help foster a culture of integrity.
It also proposes a register of returns to make public “who is being lobbied and by whom”, and sanctions to encourage compliance. The requirement to register would apply to unions, trade organisations and professionals but not to unpaid lobbyists.
The regulation of lobbying would be the responsibility of the Standards in Public Office Commission, thereby avoiding the need to create a new body, Fianna Fáil said. The party has also called on the Government to co-ordinate with the EU on a mandatory EU register of lobbyists.
The final report of the planning tribunal, which is expected soon, is likely to make recommendations on lobbying.
