Ministers who breach cooling-off period could face €25,000 fine 

Public Expenditure Minister Michael McGrath will seek Government approval to finalise legislation to strengthen the regulation of lobbying activity.

Former ministers or senior civil servants who breach a 12-month cooling-off period face a two-year ban or a fine of €25,000, under new laws to be agreed by the Cabinet on Tuesday.

The Irish Examiner has confirmed that Public Expenditure Minister Michael McGrath will seek Government approval to finalise legislation to strengthen the regulation of lobbying activity by former ministers, senior civil servants, and special advisers.