First conviction secured under lobbying legislation
Law firm Fieldfisher has issued a briefing on the first conviction under the Regulation of Lobbying Act 2015
Enacted in March 2015, the act aimed to make lobbying more transparent by introducing a web-based register under the administration of the Standards in Public Office Commission.
The act covers communications with a designated public official which concern the initiation, development or modification of any public policy, the preparation of legislation, or the award of any grant, loan contract, licence involving public funds.
The law applies to the lobbying of ministers, TDs, senators, MEPs, local councillors, special advisers, and designated public officials.
Part 4, in respect of enforcement provisions, commenced on 1 January 2017.
Contraventions
The Standards Commission has the power to investigate contraventions if they have a reasonable belief they have occurred.
A Dublin-based company, Bissett Industrial, registered to lobby on 25 January 2017.
Under section 20 of the Act, those in contravention can be subject to a class C fine, up to €2,500.