Lobbying register expanded to include more public bodies

About 62 public bodies including the HSE, Tusla and the Central Bank of Ireland have been added to the lobbying register.

The Regulation of Lobbying Act 2015 introduced transparency into the process of lobbying Government departments.

The Programme for Government promised to expand the lobbying register to include other bodies not named in the original legislation.

The Statutory Instrument will commence on 1 January 2025. From that date, senior officials within the public bodies covered, with significant policymaking or development roles, will be required to advise lobbyists that they are Designated Public Officials (DPOs). Any interactions with DPOs must be reported by lobbyists in accordance with the Regulation of Lobbying Act 2015.

Text source: Irish Times