Michael McGrath

Public Expenditure and Reform Minister Michael McGrath said: “The public want to be reassured that government policy is formulated in an open and transparent way. Clear obligations in relation to lobbying activity are essential in this regard.

“An effective system is one that tells us who is talking to whom about what, but also encourages public bodies to continue to be open to lobbying approaches from the widest range of interests in society, ensuring that a balance of opinion is sought in developing policy.

“Public concern had arisen in relation to former Ministers and advisers taking up lobbying roles soon after leaving office. I am taking action to address this issue and have secured government agreement to overhaul the legislative framework to ensure we have a system that is up to date, open, accountable and enforceable. I believe this will enhance public confidence in the system and I am looking forward to bringing legislation before the Dáil later this year to give effect to this.

“In particular, I will be proposing that failure to comply with the cooling-off period requirements of Section 22 of the Act be deemed to be a relevant contravention and offence under the Act, and this will be enforceable through an appropriate sanction for a breach of this provision.

“I will also be taking the opportunity to propose a number of other amendments to the current legislative framework, which is broadly working well. I look forward now to working with my officials on the preparation of a General Scheme of the Bill and to then engaging with the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach.”