The Regulation of Lobbying Act 2015 came into effect on 1^st September 2015. The understanding of ICOS is that the new rules are likely to have a significant reporting obligation for co-operative businesses with more than 10 employees.

The aim of the legislation is to ensure greater accountability and transparency in terms of lobbying activity between companies and organisations with public officials.

An online register, administered by the Standards in Public Office Commission has been established for the purposes of recording interactions with public officials.

Public officials under the scope of the Act include Ministers, Ministers of State, TDs, Senators, Secretary Generals and Assistant Secretary Generals of Government Departments, Special Advisors, Local Councillors, CEOs and Director of Services in County Councils.

Key to understanding the Act is what is defined as a lobbying activity. Essentially, lobbying under the Act is any formal or informal communication with a public official, mentioned above, on matters related to legislation, public funds, public policy or programmes and zoning or development.

ICOS hosted a briefing session on the legislation for co-op secretaries in late July.  Aidan Moore, from the Standards in Public Office Commission provided a detailed presentation to secretaries to help develop a clear understanding of the Act and its reporting and statutory obligations imposed on businesses. We are continuing our engagement with the Standards in Public Office Commission with a view to finding workable and practical solutions on issues related to EU legislation, trade agreements and market/commercial information.

From 1^st September, if your business engages in a lobbying activity, you will need to record the communication with a public official through the online register. The 21^st January 2016 is the deadline for filing the first return for the period 01 September to 31 December 2015.

Should you have any questions or queries concerning the Regulation of Lobbying Act and its implications, please contact ICOS staff member, Eamonn Farrell at eamonn.farrell@icos.ie or 01 613 1343

By Eamonn Farrell, Agri & Food Policy Executive