FORMER POLITICIANS and some public officials should be barred from lobbying to influence public policy for two years after they leave office, submissions on the regulation of lobbyists have suggested.
Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform Brendan Howlin yesterday published the 60 submissions received during a public consultation process on options for a regulatory system for lobbying.
The programme for government contained a commitment to introduce a statutory register of lobbyists and rules concerning the practice of lobbying.
Dozens of bodies, including charities, public relations consultants, business groups, companies and advocacy organisations made submissions during the process initiated as part of that commitment.
The department reported “overwhelming” support in principle for the proposal to regulate lobbying.
There was general support for the idea of a two-year cooling-off period prior to the re-employment of politicians or public servants where a conflict of interest existed.
Minister of State for Public Service Reform Brian Hayes said the Government hoped to publish a new Bill in the autumn, with a view to having it enacted within the first quarter of next year.
He said the legislation must be introduced in a manner that was “balanced, fair and proportionate”.
One issue that would be looked at would be whether it was appropriate for a politician or a senior public official, when they retired or left public office, to deal with the public sector for a number of years.
“I don’t think it is appropriate, quite frankly, and I think we definitely need to look at the areas in which they have a conflict or where a conflict could arise.”
In the submissions, a number of membership-based organisations, such as the Law Society, expressed the view that such bodies should not be required to register as lobbyists.
Several charities expressed concern that their charitable status might be affected as a result of an obligation to register as lobbyists.
Business body Ibec said any register must be introduced “for the right reasons and in a way that promotes rather than hinders quality engagement”.
A clear definition of “lobbyist” must also be agreed upon, alongside other definitions and appropriate exemptions.
The Public Relations Consultants Association Ireland said there may be occasions “when individuals or organisations wish to seek contact with officials or politicians at the high level, on a discreet basis. Such contact may well be in the national interest”.
It gave as an example, a prospective foreign direct investor who might wish to have “discreet contact in the context of a decision they may have to make in terms of selecting Ireland over another country for their project”.
Tobacco manufacturer John Player, in its submission, said it rejected suggestions from tobacco control advocates that the industry should be excluded from the regulatory consultation process.