Regulator issued nearly 400 fines to lobbyists last year

The Standards in Public Office Commission can also issue summary fines of €200 for late returns, which can rise to €2,500 upon a summary of conviction. File picture

Just under 400 fines were given to lobbyists last year for failing to log their activities within the required timeframe while a further 114 notices threatened to prosecute if lobbying wasn’t declared.

The Standards in Public Office Commission noted a sharp increase in lobbying of public and Government officials in recent years due to the “impact of Covid-19-related lobbying”.