Irish Farmers Association and Ibec the most prolific lobbyists says first official record of political lobbying activities

The Irish Farmers Association and employers’ group, Ibec, are the country’s most prolific lobbyists according to the first official record of political lobbying activities.

Both made more than 100 entries on the new Lobbying Register which passed its first deadline for returns yesterday, covering activities from September to December last.

Ibec lobbied widely, making repeated contacts about measures to cut alcohol consumption in the Public Health (Alcohol) Bill and what it wants in general election manifestos — chiefly cuts to capital gains and the top rate of income tax.