This new on-demand e-workshop provides a detailed but straightforward, practical guide to the Lobbying Act 2015, registering for the Register of Lobbying and submitting returns.
The Regulation of Lobbying Act 2015 requires that companies, organisations and individuals register and report any lobbying activities they undertake. This requirement needs to be fulfilled every four months and non-compliance exposes your organisation to significant reputational risk.
This new on-demand e-workshop is delivered by Kathleen O'Meara, former Head of Advocacy and Communications at the Irish Cancer Society and the Rehab Group and member of the Advisory Group to the Head of Ethics and Lobbying Regulation at the Standards in Public Office Commission.
Participants are brought through the importance of organisational compliance, understanding the Lobbying Act, how to make a return, how to ensure that your organisation's structure facilitates compliance and the pitfalls and challenges of compliance.
Participants can undertake the e-workshop at a time that suits them with a video lecture and practical demonstration along with a dedicated workshop resources webpage including notes and relevant materials.
The on-demand element is further enhanced by a Live Q&A session with Kathleen to answer any questions that arise for participants as they undertake the workshop.
A former RTÉ journalist, Kathleen O’Meara, was a Special Advisor to Minister of State Eithne Fitzgerald during the drafting of the Ethics in Public Office and Freedom of Information legislation. She was a member of Seanad Éireann from 1997-2007, following which she became Head of Advocacy and Communications at the Irish Cancer Society and served in a similar role in the Rehab Group. Kathleen was also a member of the Advisory Group to the Head of Ethics and Lobbying Regulation at the Standards in Public Office Commission, when the Lobbying Register was being designed for use by lobbyists.
Since 2020 Kathleen has been a public affairs consultant. She has provided and continues to provide public affairs and advocacy services, advice, and training to a range of Irish not for profit organisations.