Penalties for ex-ministers who breach one year lobbying ban

Former politicians retain lifetime access to Leinster House — an invaluable asset to have in the lobbying game.

Public Expenditure Michael McGrath wants to introduce an amendment to the 2015 Lobbying Act. Picture: Gareth Chaney/Collins

The Cabinet will today approve new penalties for former ministers, special advisers, and top civil servants who do not comply with a one-year cooling-off period for lobbying.

Ministers, special advisers, and senior civil servants are subject to a one-year cooling-off period before they can lobby, but following the resignation of former minister Michael D’Arcy to take up a senior post in the insurance industry, the Government is introducing the new penalties.