Need for regulation of lobbying is clear

THE image of Frank Flannery stalking the corridors of Leinster House wandering in and out of ministers’ offices, having a word in their ear, is one that in many ways defines the problem of lobbying in Irish society.

The statement by Ruairi Quinn, the education minister, that Mr Flannery would have spoken to him about concerns regarding State funding to the charity Rehab for its lottery scheme “but not in any kind of lobbying way” begs the question of what exactly is and is not lobbying.

Lobbyists, while perhaps not held in the highest regard by the public, nevertheless often provide invaluable and entirely legitimate services to public policymakers.