PR body calls for ‘naming and shaming’ of lobbying law breakers
![PR body calls for 'naming and shaming' of lobbying law breakers](https://gallery.mailchimp.com/f3db92458376702a006e7c0d9/images/56e5282e-e60c-4eff-8625-258081fb3b02.jpg)
The Public Relations Institute of Ireland (PRII) has called for organisations that do not comply with lobbying legislation to be “named and shamed”, The Irish Times reports.
PRII chief executive John Carroll said: “The lobbying register should be given clear powers to name and shame organisations that do not comply.”
A review of the Regulation of Lobbying Act 2015 is taking place this year, prompting the PRII to call for the legislation to be strengthened.
It has complained that law firms are not complying with the legislation to the same extent as PR professionals.
One concern held by the PRII is that its traditional clients may approach ministers “behind closed doors” rather than paying for the services of a professional lobbyist who is complying with the register.
Mr Carroll spoke on the issue at a public affairs event held by the PRII at the Royal Irish Academy in Dublin.
He criticised the Act for requiring lobbyists, rather than those being lobbied, to report details of conversations to the lobbying register.