New laws for lobby groups

Businesses which fail to comply with new lobbying legislation will not face sanctions for more than a year after the new laws come into force next month.

It is hoped the legislation which comes into force on September 1 will bring greater transparency to dealings between lobbyists and public officials with a register being established to keep track of such meetings.

Those found to be in breach of the rules will face fines of up to €200 for administrative breaches and more severe penalties up to and including imprisonment for serious failings. It will be at least a year however, before penalties can be levied against those breaking the rules, according to the country’s new head of lobbying regulation, Sherry Perreault who said she expects people to comply.

“Initially, in the commencement of the legislation what we’re trying to do is just encourage people and help them to get familiar with how the system works so that they’re able to comply; we’re trying to encourage compliance.

“There are investigation and enforcement provisions in the legislation but they won’t come into force until after one year so the legislation commences the first of September this year, the enforcement provisions won’t come into force for at least another year,” said Ms Perreault. The legislation will require lobbyists to register online and submit returns three times a year, beginning in January 2016.

Those affected include third-party lobbyists paid to engage with public representatives; companies with 10 or more employees, representative bodies and advocacy groups discussing relevant issues; and anyone lobbying about the development or zoning of land.

A three-step online test is available at www.lobbying.ie for those unsure as to whether or not they must register. Public representatives encompass ministers; Dáil and Seanad members; MEPs; members of local authorities; special advisers and senior public and civil servants.

The former senior director with the Office of the Canadian Conflict of Interest and Ethics Commissioner who yesterday visited Cork to discuss the legislation with local chambers of commerce said failure to submit a return on time would be constitute an administrative error.

“I would say that Ireland is now a member of a fairly small group of countries that has a robust ethics framework in place,” Ms Perreault added.