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Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, Brendan Howlin T.D. publishes submissions on Regulation of Lobbyists

The Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, Mr Brendan Howlin TD, on welcoming the publication stated “As part of our political reform and in line with the Programme for Government we are committed to introducing a statutory register of lobbyists to enhance transparency in the key area of decision making. We have received some 60 submissions which is a strong response and I am publishing them today to inform public debate on this issue. I and my Department will take full consideration of these submissions in developing further policy in this area. I intend to publish a policy paper taking account of the varying views expressed in these submissions with a view to a further public consultation on the emerging policy in late spring”.

As highlighted by the OECD it is essential that any regulatory system is underpinned by a comprehensive consultation process. The OECD has also emphasised the need for the regime to be tailored to national constitutional arrangements and political culture. The Public Service Reform Programme contains a commitment to prepare legislation to meet this commitment in 2012.

The full text of the submissions received are now available on D/PER website:

http://per.gov.ie/regulation-of-lobbyists/