Guidance note on section 22 of the Regulation of Lobbying Act – The “cooling-off” period.
Purpose of the "cooling-off" period.
Section 22 of the Act provides that specific categories of Designated Public Officials ("DPOs") are subject to a one-year “cooling-off” period, during which they cannot engage in lobbying activities in specific circumstances, or be employed by, or provide services to, a person carrying on lobbying activities in specific circumstances. These persons are referred to in section 22 of the Act as “relevant designated public officials” (relevant DPOs). The “specific circumstances” are set out later in this document.
The purpose of the provisions of section 22 of the Act is generally to manage the potential for conflicts of interest between the public and private sectors, and to place restrictions on what is often referred to as a “revolving door” between the public and private sector.
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