Business access to Irish EU officials queried

Big businesses have significant access to Brussels-based officials of the Irish Government to promote their corporate agenda, according to transparency campaigners.

The first-ever study on lobbying at government offices in Brussels has revealed the majority of contacts with senior Irish diplomats is with corporate lobbyists.

Over a recent 12-month period, the two most senior members of Ireland’s permanent representation to the EU listed 123 meetings with large multinational firms, lobbyists, representative bodies and journalists.