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Wednesday 6 December 2023 Dublin: 8°C

# Lobbying

This year
2023
Dee Forbes and Breda O'Keeffe among RTÉ execs who asked government for funds more than 50 times
A report by
Stephen McDermott
Analysis of lobbying returns shows dozens of pleas from RTÉ since 2017.
60
46.0k
Jul 17th 2023, 12:05 AM
EU parliament tightens lobbying rules for ex-MEPs following bribery scandal
The reform comes following the alleged bribery of members said to have been paid to push the interests of Qatar and Morocco.
1
4.5k
Apr 18th 2023, 7:12 AM
Opinion: We could improve our planning law - instead the public is being excluded
The draft Planning and Development Bill 2022 is a solution in search of a problem, say Alison Hough and Gavin Elliott.
10
10.6k
Mar 24th 2023, 7:01 AM
Last year
2022
The Explainer x Noteworthy: What are the problems with lobbying in Ireland?
Reporters Cormac Fitzgerald and Stephen McDermott tell Susan Daly about Noteworthy’s latest project which examined lobbying by former government officials.
0
5.7k
Updated
Nov 13th 2022, 8:45 PM
Opinion: 'Access to justice should be promoted - not restricted and threatened'
Environmental justice solicitor Rose Wall writes that politicians blaming judicial review for housing delays are overshadowing planning reform.
1
7.2k
Nov 12th 2022, 7:00 AM
Construction industry lobbying to change law and reduce planning challenges
A report by
Cormac Fitzgerald
Lobby records and documents obtained by Noteworthy show how the industry has pushed back against the judicial review process.
Lobby records and documents obtained by Noteworthy show how the industry has pushed back against the judicial review process
Housing Minister was lobbied 88 times on housing, development and zoning issues since taking office
Industry representatives regularly meet and liaise with local authority officials, reports Cormac Fitzgerald
11
15.2k
Nov 12th 2022, 12:05 AM
Revolving Door: Revealing the relationship between government officials and lobbyists
A report by
Cormac Fitzgerald and Stephen McDermott
At least 86 individuals who held senior positions in government have lobbied once or more since 2015.
Extent of lobbying by former senior public officials in Ireland revealed for the first time
At least 86 individuals who held senior positions in government have lobbied at least once since 2015
Expert: "The current one year cooling-off period is, in our view, inadequate"
19
33.1k
Nov 11th 2022, 12:05 AM
The Explainer x Noteworthy: What are the problems with lobbying in Ireland?
Former Government officials' details missing from hundreds of lobbying returns
Former Government officials' details missing from hundreds of lobbying returns
A report by
Stephen McDermott and Cormac Fitzgerald
Noteworthy and The Journal find almost 400 occasions where former Government officials incorrectly appeared as ‘ordinary’ lobbyists.
Former Government officials incorrectly appeared as 'ordinary' lobbyists on almost 400 occasions
Dozens of lobbyists said issues were down to an error and Sipo had been contacted to update returns
Expert: "The returns are not complete" and it is important for Sipo to pursue this
15
38.4k
Nov 10th 2022, 12:05 AM
SIPO refuses to name ex-government officials who asked to waive 'cooling off' period for lobbying
A report by
Stephen McDermott
13 people have asked for the exemption in two years.
13 former special advisers have asked for the exemption in two years.
Lobbying regulator SIPO has refused a Freedom of Information request to reveal identities of those who applied, Stephen McDermott writes.
21
26.6k
Sep 8th 2022, 12:05 AM
Anti-cannabis group met privately with drugs minister to discuss possible RSA-style ad campaign
The Cannabis Risk Alliance met Frank Feighan in January last year.
The Cannabis Risk Alliance told Frank Feighan last year that there should be "full transparency" around lobbyists and advocates, Stephen McDermott writes.
However, a loophole in lobbying laws mean the group's communications with the Government do not themselves have to be recorded.
Activists have questioned why the group had access to Feighan when those advocating for a different approach have found access more difficult.
0
32.7k
Jul 19th 2022, 12:05 AM
Five former special advisers apply to reduce one-year 'cooling-off' period for lobbying
Under the law, public officials are subject to a one year “cooling-off” period after they leave their roles.
17
15.0k
Jun 30th 2022, 1:08 PM
All time
Former ministers that breach 'cooling off period' rules could face fines under proposed reforms
Proposals to tighten laws on lobbying activity were approved by Cabinet today.
10
12.7k
Jul 13th 2021, 8:50 PM
Highest number of former special advisers apply to reduce one-year 'cooling-off' period for lobbying - Sipo report
The Standards in Public Office Commission has released its 2020 report on the regulation of lobbying.
2
9.6k
Jun 28th 2021, 2:36 PM
Cameron says he had 'big investment' in Greensill Capital but denies that motivated his intense lobbying
Cameron placed calls and sent dozens of texts and emails to ministers and senior officials as tried to win access to Covid support programmes.
14
15.9k
May 13th 2021, 6:54 PM
‘I make absolutely no apology at all’ over texts to businessman James Dyson, says Boris Johnson
Johnson sent the businessman a text about the tax status of his workers: “I will fix it tomo! We need you.”
30
38.1k
Apr 21st 2021, 6:08 PM
Explainer: The Greensill affair, 'a return of Tory sleaze' and how Ted Hastings could sort it all out
A former Prime Minister is causing trouble for the current one.
7
12.3k
Apr 17th 2021, 10:30 AM
Opinion: ‘Self-regulation is no regulation’ - what the Lobbying Act has failed to tackle
If a public official is lobbied while abroad there is no regulation to oversee this, writes policy expert.
9
25.0k
Nov 21st 2020, 8:00 PM
Calls for tighter lobbying rules ‘fall on political deaf ears’
Professor Gary Murphy explains how the cooling-off period for politicians turned lobbyists is ‘limited and contentious’.
14
10.2k
Oct 1st 2020, 1:30 PM
Tánaiste says Michael D'Arcy should have contacted Sipo prior to taking new job as CEO of funds lobby group
The former junior finance minister is to resign his seat in the Seanad to take up the role.
5
37.1k
Updated
Sep 29th 2020, 2:30 PM
'State should be concerned': National Lottery lobbied for change in law to prevent bookies taking lotto bets
The National Lottery said being able to bet on the lotto in bookmakers “diminishes the attractiveness” of its products.
46
65.3k
Mar 16th 2020, 12:05 AM
Bríd Smith accuses Taoiseach of 'untruths' in fiery debate on lobbying and climate bill
The Dáil was also temporarily suspended following questioning from TD Paul Murphy.
27
19.8k
Jul 9th 2019, 7:05 PM
'Unenforceable and unworkable': Government given legal warning over alcohol ad restrictions
Laws prohibiting the advertising of alcohol within 200 metres of schools will come into effect later this year.
42
21.4k
Feb 21st 2019, 12:05 AM
New code of conduct for lobbyists comes into effect today
The goal is for lobbying to be carried out in an ethical and transparent manner.
10
7.2k
Jan 1st 2019, 7:00 AM
Cancer warning labels on alcohol products will not be ditched from Public Health Alcohol Bill
There were reports that warnings on alcohol products linking excessive consumption to fatal cancers were to be removed.
32
11.5k
Sep 25th 2018, 8:00 PM
Five officials sought 'cooling-off period' waivers before taking up lobbying jobs
The purpose of a ‘cooling-off’ period is to prevent the use of insider information.
15
12.2k
Jun 28th 2018, 2:03 PM
Here are Ireland's most active business lobbyists
Nearly 10,000 returns were submitted to the Register of Lobbying last year.
0
1.4k
Jun 28th 2018, 12:54 PM
Israeli government minister called on AIB to shut down Irish pro-Palestine accounts
Israel’s Minister for Strategic Affairs Gilad Erdan was quoted as saying he called on AIB to close certain accounts.
175
38.9k
Apr 5th 2018, 12:05 AM
Casinos, gaming machines and online gambling to be overseen by independent regulator
The Gambling Control Bill, which has been gathering dust in Leinster House, is to be updated.
27
11.6k
Jan 10th 2018, 8:00 PM
'To be honest, there's a lot of panic': What's changed for the undocumented Irish under Trump
Simon Coveney recently told the Dáil that there are Irish people “literally living in the shadows” in the US.
96
18.9k
Dec 25th 2017, 3:30 PM
After a long hiatus, the Bill to ban booze ads from buses, trains and near schools is back
It’s showdown time for the controversial Public Health Alcohol Bill which is back on the agenda this week.
45
8.6k
Nov 8th 2017, 7:55 AM
Trump team knew Michael Flynn might register as foreign agent
However, the White House said Trump himself wasn’t aware.
35
21.6k
Mar 10th 2017, 10:00 PM
Who's going to sit on the abortion assembly?
In 2012 when the Constitutional Convention was set up there were concerns about lobbying – but transparency is needed if Citizen’s Assembly is going to work.
110
11.5k
Jun 21st 2016, 6:15 AM
Catherine Murphy: Irish Water company met with 'Phil' before getting 'lucrative contract'
The Social Democrat TD made a number of claims about Abtran in the Dáil today.
167
34.6k
Jan 28th 2016, 4:40 PM
'Government distrust over water charges policy shows public want effective lobbying rules'
Transparency Ireland said the new lobbying register doesn’t go far enough.
31
8.6k
Nov 24th 2014, 1:53 PM
Here's what you need to know about Brendan Howlin's new lobbying law
A Bill published by Brendan Howlin will essentially deal with: ‘Who is contacting whom and about what’.
12
5.8k
Jun 20th 2014, 4:50 PM
Evening Wrap
The 5 at 5 5 minutes, 5 stories, 5 o’clock…
0
9.0k
Mar 11th 2014, 4:45 PM
‘I had no role in advising the government’: Frank Flannery resigns from Rehab and Fine Gael
Fine Gael has thanked Flannery for his “unstinting and loyal service to the party” while the Public Accounts Committee has said it still expects the former Rehab CEO to appear before it.
127
18.8k
Mar 10th 2014, 10:50 PM
Google lobbies against proposed restrictions on Glass while driving
The company is lobbying legislators in at least three US states in a bid to stop proposed restrictions on Glass while driving.
0
438
Feb 25th 2014, 4:29 PM
Menthol ban part of compromise EU deal on tobacco control
65 per cent of packaging will be covered by warnings as opposed to the 75 per cent advocated by anti-tobacco lobby and the 50 per cent pushed for by those in the industry.
44
5.4k
Oct 8th 2013, 12:03 PM
Taoiseach calls for no change to tobacco health warnings
Cigarette companies have been accused of spending millions to influence new European directives on tobacco, but Enda Kenny and James Reilly are asking their European counterparts to vote against any change to warning labels.
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8.5k
Oct 7th 2013, 6:22 PM
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