Regulation of Lobbying Act 2015 comes into effect

Those lobbying required to register and submit returns of lobbying activities from 1 September

Tuesday September 1 2015: The Regulation of Lobbying Act 2015 comes into effect today and with it, the requirement for those who lobby designated public officials to register and report on their lobbying activities.

On April 30, the Standards in Public Office Commission launched the online register of lobbying activity on the Regulation of Lobbying website, www.lobbying.ie, to allow for a trial period in advance of the Act’s commencement. Persons likely to be lobbying have been encouraged to pre-register on the site and familiarise themselves with the process of drafting and submitting returns.

As of 1 September, the system will be live. People communicating with designated public officials about relevant matters will now be obliged to register lobbying activity that takes place from this date. They must make returns of lobbying activity every four months, with the first returns being due by January 21, 2016. Information submitted to the registry will be available for public inspection.

Ireland’s first Head of Lobbying Regulation, Ms Sherry Perreault, said “The commencement of this legislation is an important milestone in enhancing transparency in Irish public life. Through the online register of lobbying, the public will have greater access to information about how decisions on policy, legislation and funding are informed and made.”

The website, which includes the online register, also has a suite of information tools designed to help lobbyists, designated public officials and the public to fully understand the Act and its obligations.

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For further information please contact:

Lobbying Regulation Unit

Standards in Public Office Commission

6 Earlsfort Terrace,
Dublin 2

Tel: 01 639 5722
E-mail: info@lobbying.ie
Website: www.lobbying.ie
Twitter: @LobbyingIE