Best practice dictates that lobbyists file returns at year’s end

Your article ‘Lobbyists slow to disclose details on database’ (Irish Examiner, October 26) misunderstands the requirements of the Regulation of Lobbying Act 2015 and therefore presents an inaccurate image of the level of preparation and compliance with the act.

The requirements under the Lobbying Act are that all lobbying activities during the period from September 1 to December 31, 2015, must be reported by January 21.

As we are still within that period, only a small number of organisations will have reported their activities. Best practice requires that organisations wait until the end of the reporting year to file their return to ensure all activity is reported correctly.

An early return should only be filed if the organisation will not engage in any further lobbying activity on that matter within the period.

As the professional body for those engaged in public relations and communications, the Public Relations Institute of Ireland has trained more than 150 members over the past five months in compliance and preparation for the Act.

As a result, there is a wide awareness of the act among our membership.

John Carroll

Chief executive

Public Relations Institute of Ireland (PRII)

Merrion Square

Dublin 2