SIPOC publishes Annual Report on Regulation of Lobbying

Recently, the Standards in Public Office Commission (SIPOC) published its Annual Report on Regulation of Lobbying activity. The report covers the Commission’s activities in administering the Regulation of Lobbying Act 2015 for the 2023 reporting year, including enforcement activities undertaken.

The total number of registered lobbyists at the end of 2023 was 2,538. This represented a net increase of 108 on the 2,430 registrants at the end of 2022,

At the time of completing the report, more than 12,000 returns of lobbying activities have been submitted in respect of the three reporting periods in 2023. This number may change over time, as late returns for 2023 are made to the system.

The five most common public policy matters were: Health, Economic Development and Industry, Justice and Equality, Agriculture and Housing.

Two investigations were carried out between 2022 to 2023, and two further investigations were launched during the year. The Complaints and Investigations Unit closed one of these cases, leaving 3 ongoing at year-end 2023.

One case for prosecution (under Section 20(2) of the Act) carried over from 2022 was due before the courts for failure to submit lobbying returns. The lobbyist in question subsequently came into compliance during the year, and the Commission withdrew the prosecution.

The Commission also reported that it received three applications to waive or reduce the Act's post-employment provisions (‘cooling off period’) in 2023, all from former special advisors. Statistics on applications received since the Act’s commencement are included in the report.

To read the Commission's full report visit www.lobbying.ie.