PUBLIC CONFIDENCE and trust in politicians has been greatly weakened over the past two decades by the damaging series of revelations that have emerged from tribunals and public inquiries. A common thread has been the attempts, some successful, of various individuals and organisations – in private and without public scrutiny – to improperly influence political decisions for financial gain.
What the tribunals exposed was political corruption or, as President Mary McAleese remarked in 2000, “the sordid side of the country’s secret life”. The programme for government promised major reform in two areas to reduce the potential for corruption: by legislation on political funding and political lobbying.
In the case of the latter, the Government is committed to introducing a statutory register of lobbyists and to defining rules by which lobbyists must operate. As part of a public consultation process on the subject, the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform has just published more than 50 submissions from individuals and organisations. Legislation is expected to be passed next year.
What the Government is proposing – via the regulation of lobbyists – is commonplace in other democracies and long overdue here. Already, to judge by the content of the submissions made by those who are also likely to be most affected by the new law, there is little agreement on who should be covered by it and to what extent. But, as yet, the Government has made no specific proposals. Therefore, the concerns expressed by some are premature and seem exaggerated.
What is needed is a regulatory system for lobbyists that is transparent, ensures accountability and can command public confidence. The register must include all relevant individuals, professionals or organisations who lobby government ministers, departments or State agencies, on legislation or on policy matters in order to secure changes or benefits. The annual Finance Bill, which implements the budget, is a case in point. It is invariably rushed through the Oireachtas – expedited by a guillotine motion – and passed without adequate debate. Some of the amendments, hurriedly introduced and accepted by the Oireachtas, possibly without scrutiny, are the product of successful private and confidential lobbying by interest groups and organisations who have sought those changes, but who are not now made publicly accountable. This is an unacceptable state of affairs and must change.