Regulation of Lobbying in 2019 Laid... · 2020-06-25 · Regulation of Lobbying in 2019. 3. Annual Report. The Commission also has a role in investigating potential non-compliance

AnnualReport

2019

Regulation ofLobbying in

Standards in Public Office Commission 6 Earlsfort Terrace Dublin 2 D02 W773

Telephone: (01) 639 5722 Email: [email protected] Website: www.lobbying.ie Twitter: @LobbyingIE

ISSN: 2009-9363

Designed by Wonder Works

1Regulation of Lobbying in 2019Annual Report

ContentsThe Standards in Public Office Commission 2

Foreword 4

Statement by the Head of Ethics and Lobbying Regulation 5

Chapter One - Registrations and Returns 91.1 Applications to register 91.2 Returns of lobbying activities 91.3 Upgrades to the register in 2019 10

Chapter Two - Operations 132.1 Determinations under section 14 of the Act 132.2 Investigations under section 19 of the Act 142.3 Applications for consent under section 22 of the Act 142.4 Offences under section 20 of the Act 172.5 Fixed Payment Notices served under section 21 of the Act 182.6 Information about Designated Public Officials on public body websites 192.7 Registrant self-identification 202.8 Code of Conduct 202.9 Account access permission 21

Chapter Three - Communications and Outreach 233.1 Outreach activities 233.2 Sectoral analysis 25

Chapter Four - Key Issues in 2019 and Next Steps 274.1 Second Review of the Act 274.2 Adherence to the Transparency Code 28

Chapter Five - Recommendations for Change 31

Appendix One - Commission’s Supervisory Role under the Regulation of Lobbying Act 2015 37

Appendix Two - Recommendations to the Second Statutory Review of the Act 43

Appendix Three - Statistics 47

2 Regulation of Lobbying in 2019Annual Report

The Standards in Public Office CommissionThe Standards in Public Office Commission is an independent body, established in December 2001 by the Standards in Public Office Act 2001. The Commission comprises of six members and is chaired by a current or former judge of the Supreme Court or the High Court. In 2019, its members were:

• Mr Justice Daniel O’Keeffe, Chairperson;

• Seamus McCarthy, Comptroller and Auditor General;

• Peter Tyndall, Ombudsman;

• Peter Finnegan, Clerk of Dáil Éireann;

• Martin Groves, Clerk of Seanad Éireann; and

• Jim O’Keeffe, former member of Dáil Éireann.

The Secretariat to the Standards in Public Office Commission is provided by the Office of the Ombudsman.

The Commission has supervisory roles under four separate pieces of legislation:

• The Ethics in Public Office Act 1995, as amended by the Standards in Public Office Act 2001, (the Ethics Acts);

• The Electoral Act 1997, as amended, (the Electoral Acts);

• The Oireachtas (Ministerial and Parliamentary Offices) (Amendment) Act 2014; and

• The Regulation of Lobbying Act 2015.


The Commission also has a role in investigating potential non-compliance with Part 15 of the Local Government Act 2001.

The Commission issues a separate annual report covering its activities in administering the other legislation within its remit.

In February 2020, the tenures of Chairperson Mr Justice Daniel O’Keeffe and the ordinary member Mr Jim O’Keeffe ended at the conclusion of their six-year terms on the Commission. The Commission thanks them both for their dedication and service, and wishes them well.

At the time of writing, new appointments to the Commission have not yet been made. The Commission looks forward to welcoming a new Chairperson and ordinary member in due course.

The powers of the Commission, and its delegated staff, under the Regulation of Lobbying Act 2015, remain unchanged during this transition.


ForewordOn behalf of the Standards in Public Office Commission, and in accordance with the provisions of section 25(1) of the Regulation of Lobbying Act 2015, I am pleased to submit the Commission’s Annual Report on the Regulation of Lobbying in 2019 to be laid before each House of the Oireachtas.

Sherry Perreault Head of Ethics and Lobbying Regulation


Statement by the Head of Ethics and Lobbying RegulationAs I write this, Ireland and the global community are facing an unprecedented public health crisis, with significant and unavoidable disruptions to the delivery of public services. The Office of the Standards in Public Office Commission, along with other public sector organisations, has closed to personal callers, and staff members are working remotely in order to respect the need for physical distancing. Stakeholders have been asked to communicate with the office via email and telephone, and to bear with us as we chart this new territory.

Since its inception, the regulation of lobbying has been managed largely through online systems. This has proved to be of great benefit as we seek to maintain services in the current crisis. Registrants and staff are able to carry on much as before in terms of communicating, drafting and publishing registrations and returns. We are currently able to continue processing submissions and responding to queries within normal timelines. The work of lobbying itself also continues – and the mechanisms of lobbying have shifted, of necessity, much more toward phone calls, emails and video chats in lieu of face-to-face meetings.

Sherry Perreault Head of Ethics and Lobbying Regulation


It is at times like this that we see in stark relief how significant a role lobbying plays in influencing public debate and decision-making: advocacy bodies seeking support for vulnerable communities, representative groups giving voice to concerns of workers or businesses, and the response of public officials who must decide when, where and how to intervene.

Lobbying continues to be a legitimate and important tool in decision-making processes. As ever, it must continue to be transparent, and those who lobby must continue to comply with the obligations to register and submit returns of their lobbying activities.

In the weeks and months to come, some members of our staff may be redeployed to other public bodies to assist in delivering vital front line services. Throughout this period of disruption and uncertainty, the Commission will work to ensure the effective delivery of its mandate, in particular timely support and guidance to stakeholders with statutory obligations, and the continued operation of the Register of Lobbying. Our website (www.lobbying.ie) and Twitter account remain the most up-to-date source for information and news.

This past year has seen the Register of Lobbying continue to grow slightly, with over 1,900 registrants and more than 40,000 returns in the system. The numbers appear to be stabilising over the past year or so, which is logical as new registrants come into the system and others cease lobbying.

We cannot be certain what full registration should look like, and so the Commission continues to analyse data on the register to ensure that we see the returns we would expect to see – with regional, sectoral and subject-matter diversification represented on the Register of Lobbying as it is in reality. We also continue our communications and outreach efforts, to ensure that those who might have obligations under the Act are aware of the Act’s provisions, and to facilitate their compliance. Finally, we continue to investigate, and where necessary, enforce the Act’s requirements to register and submit returns. It is safe to say, however, that those who do not comply are fast becoming outliers, and compliance appears to be becoming the norm.

http://www.lobbying.ie


This past year, the Department for Public Expenditure and Reform launched its second legislative review of the Regulation of Lobbying Act 2015. As with the first review, the Commission made an extensive submission to the review, identifying areas where the Act might benefit from some amendment or clarification. The Department published its report early in 2020, and does not intend to seek to amend the Act at this time. While disappointed that its recommendations were not accepted, the Commission will continue to take a practical and common sense approach to implementation.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank the staff of the Commission Secretariat for their work over the past year, and for their dedication and perseverance during these recent challenging times.

On behalf of the Commission and our staff, may I take this opportunity to wish you and those around you safe and well.

Chapter One:Registrations and Returns

9Regulation of Lobbying in 2019Chapter One • Registration and Returns

Chapter One Registrations and ReturnsPersons lobbying were required to register and submit returns of lobbying activity by a prescribed statutory deadline, if they were lobbying during a designated reporting period. There were three reporting periods during 2019, namely: 1 January - 30 April, 1 May - 31 August and 1 September - 31 December. The respective reporting deadlines for these periods were 21 May 2019, 21 September 2019 and 21 January 2020.

1.1 Applications to registerDuring 2019, there were 160 new applications to register. All applications are reviewed to ensure that the person is required to register and that they have registered correctly. Each new applicant is sent a letter which highlights the reporting period deadlines, best practices for account administration and details of enforcement provisions. 118 registrants either ceased lobbying or were removed from the register if they were outside of the scope of the Act.

1.2 Returns of lobbying activitiesAt the time of writing this report, more than 9,600 returns of lobbying activities have been submitted in respect of the three reporting periods in 2019. The graphs in Appendix Three set out the number of returns which were received in respect of each relevant period and the most popular “relevant matters” and policy areas on which lobbying activities were carried out.

All returns of lobbying submitted in 2019 were reviewed to verify that they complied with section 12 of the Act, that the information provided was clear and meaningful, and that it was provided in the manner and form that the Commission requires. Issues dealt with in respect of returns during 2019 included the following:

• Multiple returns from a registrant in respect of lobbying activities carried out in relation to the same subject matter during a relevant period. Returns in respect of the same subject matter should be compiled in a single return for that period.

• Vague information, particularly in the intended results field. Returns should contain sufficient information to be clear and transparent.

10 Regulation of Lobbying in 2019Chapter One • Registration and Returns

• Inclusion of former Designated Public Officials (DPOs), who might have been subject to the cooling off period provided for in section 22 of the Act, as individuals who were reported to have carried on lobbying activities. The Commission will seek information where a former DPO who may have post-employment obligations is named in a return.

• Where there is a question as to whether the subject matter of the return is a relevant matter, staff will follow up with the registrant to clarify whether a return of lobbying activities is required in relation to the particular matter.

If the Commission finds that information contained in a return of lobbying activities is incorrect, misleading or is not sufficiently detailed, the Commission may use its powers under section 13 to remove the return or request its correction, as appropriate. Generally, the Commission receives good co-operation from registrants in amending their returns or providing further information. If incorrect information is not corrected or removed the Commission may, under section 13 (3), immediately remove it from the register. The effect of this is that the registrant will be considered not to have made the return in the first instance and risks being non-compliant.

1.3 Upgrades to the register in 2019The performance of the online register is reviewed regularly, both from a user’s perspective and from the Commission’s perspective as administrator, to ensure that it is operating as effectively and efficiently as possible. In 2019, a number of updates were carried out on the system to improve the usability and functionality of the register for registrants and for ease of administration.

Updates included adding the facility to communicate with registrants via subject-specific notifications on a lobbyist’s account dashboard. This facility was used to encourage registrants to identify backup administrators for their accounts. Further updates may be implemented where a need arises.

11Regulation of Lobbying in 2019Chapter One • Registration and Returns

Chapter Two:Operations

Regulation of Lobbying in 2019Chapter Two • Operations

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Chapter Two OperationsSection 25(2) of the Act requires that the following information be included in this report:

• any determinations under section 14 made or in force that year (delayed publication requests);

• any investigations carried out under section 19 and concluded in that year;

• any applications for consent made under section 22 (post-employment restrictions) and all decisions on such applications, made in that year;

• any convictions for offences under section 20 in that year; and

• any Fixed Payment Notices (FPNs) served under section 21 in that year.

This information must be provided in a form which does not enable the identification of the persons involved.

2.1 Determinations under section 14 of the ActUnder section 14 of the Act, a person may apply to delay publication of the information contained in the person’s application to register or in their return of lobbying activities. The Commission’s role in determining applications to delay publication is set out in Appendix One of this report.

There were no applications made to delay publication of a return to the register under section 14 of the Act in 2019.


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2.2 Investigations under section 19 of the ActSection 19 provides the Commission with the authority to conduct investigations into possible contraventions of the Act.

Unregistered lobbying activity is monitored via a number of information sources, such as media articles, social media notifications, proposed legislation, complaints, existing lobbying returns or other information received by the Commission.

In 2019, 22 investigations were launched under section 19 of the Act into possible unreported or unregistered lobbying activities. Over the course of the year, the Complaints and Investigations Unit (CIU) closed 12 investigations. Of the 12, several were discontinued where the person/organisation subsequently came into compliance with their obligations under the Act. Ten investigations were carried over into 2020.

2.3 Applications for consent under section 22 of the ActSection 22 of the Act provides that Ministers, Ministers of State, special advisers and senior public officials who have been prescribed for the purposes of section 6(1) of the Act are subject to a one year “cooling-off” period after they leave office, during which time they cannot engage in lobbying activities in specific circumstances, or be employed by, or provide services to, a person carrying on lobbying activities in specific circumstances, except with the consent of the Commission.

A person subject to the cooling-off period may apply to the Commission for a reduction or waiver of the cooling-off period. Further information regarding the provisions of section 22 of the Act and the Commission’s role in relation to section 22 of the Act is set out in Appendix One of this report.

The Commission received two applications for consent under section 22 of the Act in 2019. Further details are provided in the case studies below.


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Case Study 1 The applicant had been a special advisor in a government department and had taken up employment in a private firm after leaving their public office position.

The company in which the applicant had taken up employment was on the Register of Lobbying. However, it had not previously carried out lobbying activities with the applicant’s former public body or former colleagues.

As the applicant was not involved in activities prohibited under section 22 of the Act, they had not engaged their obligations to seek consent of the commission prior to taking up the position. However, as the employer considered that they might in future engage in lobbying of the person’s former public body, consent was required to continue in the employment.

Both the applicant and the organisation confirmed that the applicant would not be expected to participate in or advise on any lobbying activities directed at the applicant’s former employer or connected DPOs during the relevant period. Suitable arrangements could be put in place to ensure the applicant was not involved in or privy to any such lobbying activities or plans.

There was no evidence the applicant had breached any obligations under section 22 of the Act by taking up this employment. Based on the information provided, the Commission agreed to grant a waiver for the final ten months of the cooling-off period. The waiver was subject, however, to a number of conditions which were designed to ensure that the person did not carry on lobbying activities in circumstances set out in section 22.

No appeal was received.

As this case illustrates, a former DPO may take up an employment where their obligations under section 22 of the Act are not initially engaged. Where circumstances change, a subsequent obligation may arise whereby the consent of the Commission is needed to continue in the position.


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Case Study 2The applicant had been a special advisor in a government department and was seeking to take up employment with a company on the lobbying register. The applicant was seeking to waive the final four months of the cooling-off period in order to take up this employment.

The Commission had regard to the fact that the company in which the applicant was seeking to take up employment had previously lobbied the Department in which they worked. The applicant had been listed on the company’s previous returns, along with other DPOs, as having been lobbied by the company. However, no such lobbying took place in the year prior to the application. The Commission was informed that the applicant had been offered the role following a competitive process.

The applicant and the company each confirmed that the applicant would not be expected to participate in or advise on any prohibited lobbying activities concerning the applicant’s former employer or any connected DPOs during the relevant period. The employer also confirmed they did not intend to lobby the applicant’s former department during the remainder of the cooling-off period and that the person would not be involved in any lobbying activities directed at their former public body or colleagues.

The Commission agreed to grant a waiver for the final four months of the cooling-off period. The waiver was subject, however, to a number of conditions which were designed to ensure that the person did not carry on lobbying activities in circumstances set out in section 22.

No appeal was received.


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2.4 Offences under section 20 of the ActOffences under section 20(1) – Late returns

Returns must be submitted by the statutory deadline set out in the Act. Section 21 of the Act provides that the Commission may serve a Fixed Payment Notice (FPN) of €200 to a person who has submitted a late return of lobbying activities. As noted in section 2.5 below, 290 fixed payment notices were issued for late returns in 2019. Most were paid within the prescribed deadlines.

If a person fails to pay the penalty within 21 days, the Commission issues a notice of offence under section 20(1), and may proceed to prosecute the offence of submitting a late return. A person is liable on summary conviction to a Class C fine (currently €2,500).

No of S. 20(1) Notices issued

In respect of 2019 returns periods

In respect of 2018 return periods

Referred for prosecution

28 19 9 1

In most instances, individuals in receipt of a notice of offence pay the outstanding FPN. However, in June 2019, the first conviction under section 20(1) of the Act took place. The organisation in question had failed to submit returns of lobbying activity by the deadline and refused to comply with its obligations. The court imposed a fine of €1,250 and costs were awarded to the Commission.

Offences under section 20(2) – Failure to submit a return of lobbying activities

A registrant is required to make a return of lobbying activities, including a nil return, by the statutory deadline. Failure to do so is an offence, and the person is liable, on summary conviction, to a maximum fine of €2,500.

The Commission issues a notification of offence to any registrant who has failed to make a return by the deadline, and the person is afforded an additional two weeks to submit a return of lobbying activities. If the person fails to submit the return by that date, the Commission may proceed to prosecute the offence under section 20(2) of the Act.

In 2019, the Commission issued a total of 97 notices informing the registrant of their intention to prosecute if a return of lobbying activities was not submitted. In a number of instances, it was discovered that the registrant was not required to be on the register, as they or the communication were outside the scope of the Act. In all other cases, the registrant complied and prosecution was not pursued.


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No of section 20(2) Notices issued.

In respect of 2019 periods.

In respect of 2018 periods.

Referred for prosecution.

97 72 25 0

Encouraging compliance

The Commission continues to encourage compliance at any early stage. Effective outreach and communication with registered lobbyists at an early stage has effectively reduced the number of files being referred for prosecution each year. Perhaps unsurprisingly, most tend to comply with their obligations once contacted by the CIU. The Commission takes a less lenient approach with lobbyists who repeatedly miss return periods and fail to comply or engage with the Commission. In such cases, the Commission may decide to pursue proceedings. Where the lobbyist engages with the Commission and compliance is achieved, the case is generally settled and proceedings are withdrawn.

The number of notices issued by the Commission continues to decline year on year, in respect of both late and non-returns. This once again reflects the time invested to encourage compliance. In addition, considerable time is given to reviewing registrants (new and existing) to ensure all registered are in fact required to be on the register. If the Commission considers that a person or organisation may not be required to register, the Commission will contact the registrant to review the Act’s requirements. This approach continues to ensure that less time and resources are spent pursuing non-compliance.

2.5 Fixed Payment Notices served under section 21 of the ActThe online register is designed to ensure that a fixed payment notice (FPN) issues automatically to the person submitting a late return. The FPN informs the person that they have 21 days to pay it.

FPNs issued in 2019

No. of FPNs issued

Relating to 2019 relevant periods

Relating to other relevant periods

Paid Cancelled Unpaid

290 203 87 244 41 5

Enforcement activities in respect of the five unpaid FPNs are ongoing. The number of FPNs issued in respect of the three relevant periods in 2019 was 290.

This year’s compliance statistics represent a marked improvement over the previous years in which FPNs were issued, as evidenced by the below table.


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Enforcement year Total number of FPNs issued

2019 290

2018 522

2017 522

While the Commission did cancel several FPNs in 2019, it generally will only do so for the following reasons:

• where a technical problem on lobbying.ie prevented the person from submitting a return on time;

• where an administrative error occurred in which the person erroneously submitted a duplicate return for the wrong period; and/or

• where the person was not required to register and had registered in error.

2.6 Information about Designated Public Officials on public body websitesThe Act requires that each public body appointed under section 6(4) of the Act publish up-to-date lists of their DPOs. Lobbying.ie provides relevant links to these pages for public bodies appointed under the Act.

Prior to the end of each return period, public bodies are asked to check, and update as required, a list showing the name, grade and brief details of the role and responsibilities of each Designated Public Official prescribed within the body. They are also asked to confirm and update information relating to working groups or task forces operating under their aegis, in order to identify whether organisations were adhering to the Transparency Code, established by the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform on commencement of the Act.

The Transparency Code provides exemptions for certain communications made by persons within scope of the Act, if the communication is made in the course of business of a working group or task force set up by a public body, and if the public body makes public the membership, terms of references, agendas and minutes of meetings of the group.


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In August 2019, the Commission contacted all public bodies with DPOs to verify that information was up-to-date, including the following:

1. That each relevant body had a Regulation of Lobbying page;

2. Whether the name and position held were published on the page; and

3. That each body had relevant information on their website in relation to the Transparency Code for any group working under their aegis.

The Commission also ensured that links from its own website were accurate and operational.

The results of this survey were encouraging. The Commission found that all public bodies with DPOs had a website page with DPOs listed as well as the relevant information relating to their position. Each body that has a group operating under the Transparency Code also had the relevant information published on their website’s Regulation of Lobbying page.

2.7 Registrant self-identificationIn 2019, the Commission became aware of an issue regarding the self-identification of lobbyists on the register. Where a registrant is a business or charitable entity, with both a legal name and a trading identity, they may register using either name. While it is their decision which name they use for the formal registration, in the interests of transparency it is important that users can easily find the registrant and their returns.

In one particular case, an organisation had registered under their legal name, which differed from the name by which the organisation was most commonly known. This led to difficulty for users in accessing returns made by the organisation. While there was no issue in respect of compliance, it was not ideal in respect of transparency.

In response to this, the Commission published guidance advising registrants to register under their legal name but also include a reference in the free-text field to their most commonly known identity or trading name. The Commission further intends to introduce a new field to the registrant page, to allow registrants to include other names by which they are known/”also trading as”, as is the case on the Companies Registration Office website. This will also be accessible through the search function helping ensure easier access and greater transparency. This update is expected to be implemented in 2020.

2.8 Code of Conduct Section 16(1) of the Act provides that the Commission may produce a code of conduct for persons carrying on lobbying activities “with a view to promoting high professional standards and good

https://www.lobbying.ie/help-resources/frequently-asked-questions-1/My-business-is-known-by-one-name-but-has-a-different-legal-name-Which-name-should-I-register-under?-/


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practices”. As discussed in last year’s annual report, the Commission launched the Code of Conduct for persons carrying on lobbying activities in November 2018, on foot of a consultation process.

The Code, which came into effect on 1 January 2019, provides eight principles by which persons carrying on lobbying activities may conduct their lobbying activities transparently and ethically. Anyone lobbying, including employers, third parties, representative or advocacy bodies and individuals alike, must have regard to the Code when communicating with public officials.

The Code has been in operation for almost a year and is operating well.

As part of its submission to the Second Statutory Review of the Act, the Commission called for the Code to be enforceable. Specifically, the Commission recommended that section 16 of the Act be modified to give the Commission authority to conduct inquiries into and report on breaches of the Code.

The Commission had previously committed to reviewing the Code on foot of the completion of the Second Statutory Review of the Act, in the event that any planned legislative changes would impact on the effective operation of the Code. As the Review has not recommended any legislative change, a review of the Code is not required at this time. However, the Commission will consider recommendations made in the context of the review in respect of additional guidance that may be required.

2.9 Account access permission Two different levels of account access are available to registrants. The system allows persons to register as a user or an administrator, with different permissions associated with each account type. Administrators have full permissions to draft returns, review drafts submitted by users, publish returns, and add or delete users. User accounts have more limited permissions on the system whereby they can simply draft returns and submit them for review or publication by the administrator.

These different levels of access previously led to some registrants, with the incorrect levels of access, experiencing difficulty in submitting their returns. The Commission communicated with all registrants, advising them of the difference between the accounts and providing instructions on how to change access permissions. The Commission also published an information notice on this issue on its website.

The guidance provided has resulted in a number of account access revisions, which in turn has improved compliance. Publication of this information note coincided with a subsequent decrease in the number of registrants contacting the Commission concerning returns submitted incorrectly due to account access.

https://www.lobbying.ie/about-us/code-of-conduct/code-of-conduct/


https://www.lobbying.ie/about-us/legislation/2019-legislative-review-of-the-regulation-of-lobbying-act-2015-submission-by-the-standards-in-public-office-commission/

https://www.lobbying.ie/help-resources/frequently-asked-questions-1/what-is-the-difference-between-an-account-user-and-administrator-on-my-lobbying-registration/

Chapter Three:Communications and Outreach

23Regulation of Lobbying in 2019Chapter Three • Communications and Outreach

Chapter Three Communications and Outreach

3.1 Outreach activities

The Commission continues to take opportunities to promote understanding of the Act and its obligations, with a view to supporting effective compliance and sharing best practices.

In April, officials from the Lobbying Regulation Unit met with a visiting delegation from the German Ministry of the Interior to discuss the development and implementation of the lobbying system.

In May, the Public Relations Institute of Ireland (PRII) and Trinity College Dublin held a forum on the regulation of lobbying at which they presented their findings from a study on perspectives of lobbying regulation, including comparisons of lobbying regulation systems worldwide. Head of Ethics and Lobbying Regulation Sherry Perreault participated in the panel discussion, alongside panellists from IBEC, Edelman Ireland and the PRII, as well as a former DPO. The conference provided a welcome forum in which the Commission could provide further knowledge and guidance to lobbyists while also receiving some feedback on the user experience.

Later that month, the French National Assembly, in concert with the High Authority on Transparency in Public Life and the Deontologist (ethics advisor) for the National Assembly, organised a conference on lobbying and its regulation, entitled “Perspectives on Lobbying” (“Regards croisés sur le lobbying”). The seminar brought together French parliamentarians, staff and members of the academic community. The Head of Ethics and Lobbying Regulation was invited to participate in a panel discussion on the regulation of lobbying in France and in Europe to present the experience of regulation in Ireland.

24 Regulation of Lobbying in 2019Chapter Three • Communications and Outreach

Following on from the successful launch of the European Lobbying Regulators’ Network in spring 2018, the second annual conference of the Network was held in Paris in May 2019. Members of the Network include regulators from various jurisdictions that regulate lobbying across Europe, including the EU. This year’s conference allowed participants to exchange experience and best practices in a number of areas, including promoting compliance, re-use of data and the creation of codes of conduct.

In July, the Head of Ethics and Lobbying Regulation met with a researcher from the Independent Commission against Corruption (ICAC) in New South Wales, Australia. ICAC is currently undertaking a public inquiry into the regulation of lobbying, access and influence in the state. As part of ICAC’s research into how lobbying regulation is operating in other jurisdictions, Ireland was identified as a case study, and was able to share its experience of implementation and ongoing operations of the Register of Lobbying. Information on the Irish system was subsequently presented to the public inquiry, which is ongoing.

In November, the Lobbying Unit welcomed two visitors from Transparency International Latvia who were studying the lobbying system. Secretariat staff presented the main features of the Act and answered queries regarding its operation.

Finally, the Secretariat hosted an open house for new and prospective registrants interested in hearing more about the Act.

25Regulation of Lobbying in 2019Chapter Three • Communications and Outreach

3.2 Sectoral analysis In early 2019, the Commission carried out analysis of the sectors represented on the Register of Lobbying. The Commission identified three key sectors requiring further outreach, namely builders, developers and architects.

The Commission met with representatives from the Construction Industry Federation, the Royal Institute of Architects of Ireland, and Irish Institutional Property to discuss levels of registration within these sectors, and seek opportunities to improve outreach. On foot of these meetings, the Commission published tailored information notes for builders, developers and architects. The document identified ten points for potential lobbyists in these industries to consider when carrying out a communication. These were published in trade publications and websites, as well as on lobbying.ie.

In 2020, the Commission will continue to analyse the register to identify regional, sectoral or other areas which may need further or tailored outreach.

https://www.lobbying.ie/help-resources/information-for-lobbyists/guidance-notes/

Chapter Four:Key Issues in 2019 and Next Steps

27Regulation of Lobbying in 2019Chapter Four • Key Issues in 2019 and Next Steps

Chapter Four Key Issues in 2019 and Next Steps

4.1 Second Review of the Act The Regulation of Lobbying Act 2015 (the Act) commenced on 1 September 2015.

The Act provides for legislative review by the Minister for Finance and Public Expenditure and Reform (the Minister) after an initial period of 12 months following the introduction of the Act and then after each subsequent successive period of 3 years. As part of this review, the Minister must consult with the Commission, as well as other stakeholders.

The first review of the Act took place in 2016, with the Report published in February of the following year. No amendments were made to the Act on foot of the first review.

The Second Review was launched by the Minister in April 2019. The Department of Public Expenditure and Reform (DPER) invited submissions as part of a public consultation process. A total of 27 submissions were received by the Department from government departments, representative bodies, interest groups, and various bodies and individuals engaged in lobbying.

The Commission made a submission to the review in May 2019 that included 22 separate recommendations in respect of the Act’s definitions, operations, post-employment obligations, enforcement and various other matters.

This submission was based on the Commission’s experience over the previous four years of administering the Act. As the requirements of the Act and the process of submitting returns are by now well established, the Commission identified where the Act would benefit from amendment or clarification, as well as some areas on which the Act is silent and where an explicit provision might be useful. If adopted, the Commission is of the view that these recommendations would strengthen the operation of the Act, enhancing transparency and accountability.

Several of the recommendations contained in this submission had already been made either in the Commission’s previous submission to the first review of the Act or in its annual reports.

On 25 February 2020 the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform published its report of the Second Review of the Regulation of Lobbying Act. The Standards Commission welcomes the publication of the report into the operation of the Act, however, the Commission is disappointed that none of its recommendations have been adopted.


https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/7ef279-second-statutory-review-of-the-regulation-of-lobbying-act-2015/

28 Regulation of Lobbying in 2019Chapter Four • Key Issues in 2019 and Next Steps

The recommendations in the report suggest that most concerns about the legislation raised as part of the review process may be addressed through greater guidance and clarification by the Commission. While the Commission continues to engage in tailored outreach and regularly reviews and updates its guidance as needed, it is the Commission’s view that this does not accurately reflect the range of specific issues that can only be addressed through legislative amendment. This includes, for example, introducing enforcement powers for breaches of the Act’s post-employment provisions, as well as requiring public officials to decline further communications with persons who fail to comply with the Act.

The Commission will continue to identify and flag issues where the Act may benefit from amendment or clarification as they arise. The third statutory review of the Act will commence in 2022.

See Appendix Two for a summary of the recommendations made in the Commission’s submission to the second statutory review.

4.2 Adherence to the Transparency CodeAs noted above, the Transparency Code was published by the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform in September 2015 in conjunction with the commencement of the Act. The Code provides for exemptions from the requirement to register a communication if it is made in the course of the work of a “relevant body” and if the “relevant body” adheres to the Code by publishing its membership, terms of reference, agendas and minutes of meetings. A “relevant body” includes any task force, working group or committee established by a public body that includes among its members at least one DPO and at least one person within scope of the Act. These relevant bodies are often set up by civil service departments and local authorities.

Where the “relevant body” adheres to the Transparency Code, the members do not have to submit returns of the communications made within the group.

During 2019, the Commission reviewed levels of adherence to the Transparency Code in all local authorities. Of the thirty-one county councils examined, just six were found to be fully adhering to the terms of the Code, meeting all eight requirements. A further 13 county councils were found to be partially adherent while 12 county councils were found to be completely not adhering to the Code.

https://www.lobbying.ie/help-resources/information-for-public-bodies/transparency-code/

29Regulation of Lobbying in 2019Chapter Four • Key Issues in 2019 and Next Steps

The Commission intends to engage further with local authorities on this issue during 2020. It is likely that more relevant bodies are in operation than are being reported by many local authorities. The operation of relevant bodies outside of the Transparency Code has the serious consequence that communications made by members of the relevant body in the course of the body’s activities may be registerable under the Regulation of Lobbying Act. External members of these bodies may be required to submit returns of communications made within the group but may not be aware of this requirement, and find themselves in non-compliance.

The Commission urges local authorities and civil service departments to familiarise themselves with the requirements of, and promote adherence with, the Transparency Code among its working groups and strategic policy committees.

Chapter Five:Recommendations for Change

31Regulation of Lobbying in 2019Chapter Five • Recommendations for Change

Chapter Five Recommendations for Change The Commission has made recommendations for change as part of submissions to the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform for both the First Statutory Review of the Lobbying Act in 2016 and the Second Statutory Review of the Act in 2019. The Commission has also made recommendations in each annual report. Major outstanding proposals from each statutory review are summarised in the table below.

Recommendations applying to the Lobbying Act 2015

Recommendations First Review Second Review

1. The Act should be amended to provide that any business representative bodies or “coalitions” of business interests, irrespective of number or status of employees, are within scope of the Act, where one or more of the members of the body/coalition would be within scope if they were acting themselves. Members of the body/coalition should be required to be named on returns in support of increased transparency.

2016 2019

2. Section 5(3) of the Act should be amended to provide that, where a relevant communication on behalf of an organisation that falls within scope of the Act is made by either a paid employee or an office holder of the organisation, it will be regarded as a lobbying activity made by the organisation.

2016 2019



32 Regulation of Lobbying in 2019Chapter Five • Recommendations for Change


3. The Act should be amended to provide a more comprehensive definition of a full-time employee in section 7.

2016 2019

4. Section 5(1)(c) of the Act should be amended to provide for the managing and directing of relevant communications about the development or zoning of land, in addition to the making of such communications.

2016 2019

5. The provisions of section 5(1)(c) of the Act should be limited to persons who have a material interest in relation to the development or zoning of land or are connected to or communicating on behalf of someone with such an interest.

2019

6. The Act should be amended to exempt communications made by political parties to their DPO members in their capacity as members of the party.

2016 2019

7. The exempt communication at section 7 of the Act should apply to negotiations on terms and conditions of employment undertaken by representatives of other employee representative bodies.

2019

8. Section 11(1)(b) of the Act should be amended to include an address where a person carries on business or their “main activities”.

2016 2019



9. The word “permanently” should be removed from section 11(4) of the Act.

2019

10. Section 16 of the Act should include an explicit requirement for the Commission to lay any code of conduct published under section 16 of the Act before the Houses of the Oireachtas.

2016 2019

11. The Act should be modified to give the Commission authority to conduct inquiries into and report on breaches of the Code.

2016 2019

12. Failure to comply with section 22 of the Act (either in relation to submitting an application for consent, where required, or in relation to complying with the Commission’s decision on an application for consent) should be a relevant contravention under section 18 of the Act and an offence under section 20 of the Act.

2016 2019

13. Employers of relevant DPOs should ensure that DPOs are aware of their post-employment obligations when planning to leave a post, and that they may seek advice from the Commission as needed.

2019

14. The Act should be amended to extend the scope of section 22 to include public bodies and DPOs with whom a person may have had significant involvement, influence or contacts.

2019

34 Regulation of Lobbying in 2019Chapter Five • Recommendations for Change


15. The Act should be amended to allow the Commission to publish certain details regarding its decisions to waive or reduce the cooling-off period under section 22 of the Act.

2016 2019

16. An anti-avoidance clause should be added to the list of relevant contraventions in section 18 of the Act.

2016 2019

17. The Commission should be allowed to publish summary details of investigations under section 19 of the Act.

2016 2019

18. The Act should be amended to introduce obligations for DPOs to decline further communications with persons where the DPO is aware that the person has failed to register previous lobbying activities by the relevant date.

2016 2019

19. The Act should be amended to provide the Commission with the authority to order any DPO to refuse to have dealings with a person who has been convicted of a relevant contravention.

2016 2019

20. The Act should be amended to provide the Commission with the authority to investigate breaches of the provisions outlined in recommendations 18 and 19 above.

2016 2019

21. An education programme led by the Department should be undertaken to inform public bodies about the exempt communication under section 5(5)(n) of the Act and the requirements of the Transparency Code.

2019



22. An education programme led by the Departmentshould be undertaken to inform relevant stateagencies about the exempt communication undersection 5(5)(m) of the Act and the circumstances inwhich it applies.

2019

23. Section 22 might be reviewed to allow the Commissionto impose restrictions on lobbying activities relating tofunctional areas of other public service bodies or withDPOs from other public service bodies with which theapplicant is not ‘connected’.

Appendix One:Commission’s Supervisory Role under the Regulation of Lobbying Act 2015

37Regulation of Lobbying in 2019Appendix One • Commission’s Supervisory Role under the Regulation of Lobbying Act 2015

Appendix One Commission’s Supervisory Role under the Regulation of Lobbying Act 2015

General overview

The Act provides that a person who falls within the scope of the Act makes a relevant communication (is lobbying) if the person communicates with a DPO about a relevant matter. Anyone lobbying must register and submit regular online returns of their lobbying activity.

Sections 5(1) and (2) of the Act set out the categories of person who are within scope of the Act, namely:

• a person with more than 10 full-time employees;

• a person which has one or more full-time employees and is a body which exists primarily to represent the interests of its members (referred to as a “representative body”) and the relevant communications are made on behalf of any of the members;

• a person which has one or more full-time employees and is a body which exists primarily to take up particular issues (referred to as an “advocacy body”) and the relevant communications are made in the furtherance of any of those issues;

• any person (individual or organisation) making a “relevant communication” concerning the development or zoning of land which is not their principal private residence; and

• a “professional lobbyist” or third party who is paid to carry on lobbying activities on behalf of a person who fits within one of the categories of persons above.

DPOs include Ministers and Ministers of State, Members of Dáil Éireann and Seanad Éireann, Members of the European Parliament for Irish constituencies, and Members of Local Authorities. DPOs also include special advisers and the senior-most civil and public servants who have been prescribed by Ministerial Order.

38 Regulation of Lobbying in 2019Appendix One • Commission’s Supervisory Role under the Regulation of Lobbying Act 2015

A relevant matter is one to do with the initiation, development or modification of any public policy or of any public programme; the preparation of an enactment; or the award of any grant, loan or other financial support, contract or other agreement, or of any licence or other authorisation involving public funds. Matters relating to the zoning and development of land are also relevant communications.

Section 5(5) of the Act provides for a number of exemptions to what is considered a relevant communication.

The Register of LobbyingThe register itself is a web-based system. In addition to housing the online register, the website lobbying.ie includes information and guidance tools explaining the registration and return processes.

There is no cost to register, to submit returns or to access the information contained therein. While the Commission has oversight responsibility for the establishment and maintenance of the register, the content is driven by the information contained in the applications to register and returns submitted by registrants.

Anyone who is lobbying must register and submit returns three times per year, covering prescribed “relevant periods” (1 January - 30 April, 1 May - 31 August, and 1 September - 31 December). The returns must be submitted by the respective prescribed “relevant dates” (21 May, 21 September and 21 January, respectively).

The return must indicate who was lobbied, the subject matter of the lobbying activity and the results the person was seeking to secure. The returns must also indicate the type and extent of the lobbying activity. If the lobbying activity was carried out on behalf of a client, the return must provide details of the client.


Other provisionsApplications to delay publication under section 14 of the Act

Under section 14 of the Act, a person may apply to delay publication of the information contained in the person’s application to register or in their return of lobbying activities if publishing the information could reasonably be expected to:

1. Have a serious adverse effect on the financial interests of the State, the national economy or business interests generally or the business interests of any description of persons (an application made under section 14(1)(a) of the Act), or

2. Cause a material financial loss to the person to whom the information relates or prejudice seriously the competitive position of that person in the conduct of the person’s occupation, profession or business or the outcome of any contractual or other negotiations being conducted by that person (an application made under section 14(1)(b) of the Act).

If an application is made under section 14(1)(a), the Commission is required to consult with any relevant Minister(s) of the Government. The Commission is not required to consult with a Minister(s) if an application is made under section 14(1)(b). (The Commission may, however, consider it appropriate to consult with a Minister on a section 14(1)(b) application).

Section 14(9) of the Act provides that, when the returns are subsequently published, the Commission must publish an explanation as to why publication of the information was delayed.

Section 14(11) of the Act provides that the Commission may make a determination to delay publication on more than one occasion in relation to information contained in a return of lobbying activities.

40 Regulation of Lobbying in 2019Appendix One • Commission’s Supervisory Role under the Regulation of Lobbying Act 2015

“Cooling-off” period provided for under section 22 of the Act

Section 22 of the Act provides that Ministers, Ministers of State, special advisers and senior public officials who have been prescribed for the purposes of section 6(1) of the Act are subject to a one year “cooling-off” period, during which time they cannot engage in lobbying activities in specific circumstances, or be employed by, or provide services to, a person carrying on lobbying activities in specific circumstances. The cooling-off period is the period of one year from the date the person ceased to be a DPO.

The circumstances in which section 22 of the Act applies are the making of communications comprising the carrying on of lobbying activities which:

1. Involve any public service body with which the person was employed or held an office or other position in the year prior to his/her leaving, or

2. Are to a person who was also a DPO who was employed or held an office or other position with that public service body in the year prior to the person’s leaving.

A person subject to the one-year cooling-off period may apply to the Commission for a reduction or waiver of the cooling-off period.

The Commission may decide to give consent unconditionally to a reduction or waiver of the cooling-off period or may decide to give consent with conditions attached. The Commission may decide to refuse the application for all or part of the cooling-off period.

Appeals

Under section 23 of the Act a person who is aggrieved by a decision of the Commission under sections 10(5) (relating to reports of incorrect information on the register), section 14 (delayed publication), or section 22 (cooling-off period) may appeal the Commission’s decision. The Department of Public Expenditure and Reform has established panels of independent appeal officers to hear such appeals. Under section 23, the appeal is referred to an independent appeal officer who may uphold a decision of the Commission, or overturn it and replace it with another decision.

Section 24 of the Act provides that the appeal officer’s decision may be appealed to the High Court.


Investigative and Enforcement provisions

The Act contains a number of investigative and enforcement provisions which were commenced on 1 January 2017.

Finally, section 2 of the Act provides for a legislative review. Following the review, the Minister may consider possible amendments to the Act. The Minister must report to the Houses of the Oireachtas on the outcome of the review and any recommendations for amendments to the Act.

Statutory instruments under the Regulation of Lobbying ActSeven statutory instruments have been introduced under the Act, namely:

• Regulation of Lobbying Act 2015 (Designated Public Officials) Regulations (S.I. 144 of 2019);

• Regulation of Lobbying Act 2015 (Commencement) Order (S.I. 152 of 2015);

• Regulation of Lobbying Act 2015 (Appeals) Regulations 2015 (S.I. 366 of 2015);

• Regulation of Lobbying Act 2015 (Designated Public Officials) Regulations (S.I. 367 of 2015);

• Regulation of Lobbying Act 2015 (Commencement) Order 2016 (S.I. 360 of 2016);

• Regulation of Lobbying Act 2015 (Fixed Payment Notice) Regulations 2016 (S.I. 361 of 2016); and

• Regulation of Lobbying Act 2015 (Designated Public Officials) Regulations 2016 (S.I. 362 of 2016).

Appendix Two:Recommendations to the Second Statutory Review of the Act

43Regulation of Lobbying in 2019Appendix Two • Recommendations to the Second Statutory Review of the Act

Appendix TwoRecommendations to the Second Statutory Review of the Act

Recommendation 1: The Act should be amended to provide that any business representative bodies or “coalitions” of business interests, irrespective of number or status of employees, are within scope of the Act, where one or more of the members of the body/coalition would be within scope if they were acting themselves. Members of the body/coalition should be required to be named on returns in support of increased transparency.

Recommendation 2: Section 5(3) of the Act should be amended to provide that, where a relevant communication on behalf of an organisation that falls within scope of the Act is made by either a paid employee or an office holder of the organisation, it will be regarded as a lobbying activity made by the organisation.

Recommendation 3: The Act should be amended to provide a more comprehensive definition of a full-time employee in section 7.

Recommendation 4: Section 5(1)(c) of the Act should be amended to provide for the managing and directing of relevant communications about the development or zoning of land, in addition to the making of such communications.

Recommendation 5: The provisions of section 5(1)(c) of the Act should be limited to persons who have a material interest in relation to the development or zoning of land or are connected to or communicating on behalf of someone with such an interest.

Recommendation 6: The Act should be amended to exempt communications made by political parties to their DPO members in their capacity as members of the party.

44 Regulation of Lobbying in 2019Appendix Two • Recommendations to the Second Statutory Review of the Act

Recommendation 7: The exempt communication at section 7 of the Act should apply to negotiations on terms and conditions of employment undertaken by representatives of other employee representative bodies.

Recommendation 8: Section 11(1)(b) of the Act should be amended to include an address where a person carries on business or their “main activities”.

Recommendation 9: The word “permanently” should be removed from section 11(4) of the Act.

Recommendation 10: Section 16 of the Act should include an explicit requirement for the Commission to lay any code of conduct published under section 16 of the Act before the Houses of the Oireachtas.

Recommendation 11: The Act should be modified to give the Commission authority to conduct inquiries into and report on breaches of the Code.

Recommendation 12: Failure to comply with section 22 of the Act (either in relation to submitting an application for consent, where required, or in relation to complying with the Commission’s decision on an application for consent) should be a relevant contravention under section 18 of the Act and an offence under section 20 of the Act.

Recommendation 13: Employers of relevant DPOs should ensure that DPOs are aware of their post-employment obligations when planning to leave a post, and that they may seek advice from the Commission as needed.

Recommendation 14: The Act should be amended to extend the scope of section 22 to include public bodies and DPOs with whom a person may had significant involvement, influence or contacts.

45Regulation of Lobbying in 2019Appendix Two • Recommendations to the Second Statutory Review of the Act

Recommendation 15: The Act should be amended to allow the Commission to publish certain details regarding its decisions to waive or reduce the cooling-off period under section 22 of the Act.

Recommendation 16: An anti-avoidance clause should be added to the list of relevant contraventions in section 18 of the Act.

Recommendation 17: The Commission should be allowed to publish summary details of investigations under section 19 of the Act.

Recommendation 18: The Act should be amended to introduce obligations for DPOs to decline further communications with persons where the DPO is aware that the person has failed to register previous lobbying activities by the relevant date.

Recommendation 19: The Act should be amended to provide the Commission with the authority to order any DPO to refuse to have dealings with a person who has been convicted of a relevant contravention.

Recommendation 20: The Act should be amended to provide the Commission with the authority to investigate breaches of the provisions outlined in recommendations 18 and 19 above.

Recommendation 21: An education programme led by the Department should be undertaken to inform public bodies about the exempt communication under section 5(5)(n) of the Act and the requirements of the Transparency Code.

Recommendation 22: An education programme led by the Department should be undertaken to inform relevant state agencies about the exempt communication under section 5(5)(m) of the Act and the circumstances in which it applies.

Appendix Three:Statistics

0

200

Registrants

400

600

800

1000

1200

2015 2016 2017 2018 2019

47Regulation of Lobbying in 2019Appendix Three • Statistics

Appendix Three Statistics

Figure 1 – Total registrants by year

1 Jan 2019 to 30 Apr 2019 1 May 2019 to 31 Aug 2019 1 Sep 2019 to 31 Dec 2019

Agriculture EconomicDevelopmentand Industry

Health Housing Justice and Equality

350

300

250

200

150

100

50

0

48 Regulation of Lobbying in 2019Appendix Three • Statistics

Figure 2 – Public policy area of return

2017 2018 2019

3000

3125

Jan to Apr May to Aug Sep to Dec

3250

3375

3500


Figure 3 – Number of returns by reporting period

0

50

100

150

200

250

Defence

Residents Association

Aerospace

Telecommunica

tions

Entertainment

Religious Org

anisation

Hospitality

Internatio

nal Development

Mass Media

Housing Association

Individual/Priv

ate Citizen

Retail

Transport

Legal Service

s

Trade union

Environment

Real Estate/P

roperty

Informatio

n Technology

Youth Work

/Child

care

Agribusiness

Manufacturing

Sports

Planning & Development

Educatio

n

Energy & Natura

l Resource

s

Constructio

n

Public Relatio

ns

Community Development

Financial Service

s

Representativ

e Body

Health

Charity/A

dvocacy

Num

ber

of R

egis

tran

ts50 Regulation of Lobbying in 2019

Appendix Three • Statistics

Figure 4 – Registrants’ main business activities


Figure 5 - Regional location of registrants

Great Britain: 60Rest of Europe: 19Rest of the World: 9

Total: 1909

Carlow7

Wicklow47

Wexford23

Cavan11

Clare15

Cork105

Donegal25 Northern Ireland

16

Dublin1156Galway

75

Kerry21

Kildare63

Kilkenny23

Laois10

Leitrim3

Limerick34

Longford7

Louth24

Mayo23

Meath29

Monaghan9

O�aly8

Roscommon7

Sligo18

Tipperary21

Waterford23

Westmeath18

TuarascáilBhliantúil

2019

Brústocaireacht a Rialáil

An Coimisiún um Chaighdeáin in Oifigí Poiblí 6 Ardán Phort an Iarla Baile Átha Cliath 2 D02 W773

Teileafón: (01) 639 5722 Ríomhphost: [email protected] Suíomh gréasáin: www.lobbying.ie Twitter: @LobbyingIE

ISSN: 2009-9363

Deartha ag Wonder Works

1Brústocaireacht a Rialáil 2019Tuarascáil Bhliantúil

Clár ÁbharAn Coimisiún um Chaighdeáin in Oifigí Poiblí 2

Réamhfhocal 4

Ráiteas ó Cheannasaí na hEitice agus na Rialála Brústocaireachta 5

Caibidil a hAon - Clárúcháin agus Tuairisceáin 91.1 Iarratais chlárúcháin 91.2 Tuairisceáin ar ghníomhaíochtaí brústocaireachta 91.3 Uasghráduithe ar an gclár in 2019 10

Caibidil a Dó - Oibríochtaí 132.1 Cinntí faoi alt 14 den Acht 132.2 Imscrúduithe faoi alt 19 den Acht 142.3 Iarratais ar thoiliú faoi alt 22 den Acht 142.4 Cionta faoi alt 20 den Acht 172.5 Fógraí le haghaidh Íocaíocht Shocraithe seirbheáilte faoi alt 21 den Acht 182.6 Faisnéis maidir le hOifigigh Phoiblí Ainmnithe ar shuíomhanna gréasáin comhlachtaí poiblí 192.7 Féinaithint cláraithe 202.8 Cód Iompair 212.9 Cead rochtana cuntais 22

Caibidil a Trí - Cumarsáid agus For-rochtain 253.1 Gníomhaíochtaí for-rochtana 253.2 Anailís earnálach 27

Caibidil a Ceathair - Príomh-shaincheisteanna in 2019 agus na chéad chéimeanna eile 29

4.1 An Dara hAthbhreithniú ar an Acht 294.2 Cloígh leis an gCód Trédhearcachta 30

Caibidil a Cúig - Moltaí le haghaidh Athraithe 33

Aguisín a hAon - Ról Maoirseachta an Choimisiúin faoi Acht um Brústocaireacht a Rialáil 2015 39

Aguisín a Dó - Moltaí don Dara hAthbhreithniú Reachtúil ar Acht 45

Aguisín a Trí - Staitisticí 49

2 Brústocaireacht a Rialáil 2019Tuarascáil Bhliantúil

An Coimisiún um Chaighdeáin in Oifigí PoiblíIs comhlacht neamhspleách é an Coimisiún um Chaighdeáin in Oifigí Poiblí a bunaíodh i mí na Nollag 2001 leis an Acht um Chaighdeáin in Oifigí Poiblí 2001. Seisear comhaltaí atá páirteach sa Choimisiún agus tá sé faoi chathaoirleacht ag breitheamh reatha nó iar-bhreitheamh den Chúirt Uachtarach nó den Ard-Chúirt. Seo a leanas na comhaltaí a bhí ann in 2019:

• An Breitheamh Onórach Daniel O’Keeffe, Cathaoirleach;

• Seamus McCarthy, An tArd-Reachtaire Cuntas agus Ciste;

• Peter Tyndall, Ombudsman;

• Peter Finnegan, Cléireach Dháil Éireann;

• Martin Groves, Cléireach Sheanad Éireann; agus

• Jim O’Keeffe, iar-chomhalta Dháil Éireann.

Is é Oifig an Ombudsman a sholáthraíonn an Rúnaíocht don Choimisiún um Chaighdeáin in Oifigí Poiblí.

Tá róil mhaoirseachta ag an gCoimisiún faoi cheithre phíosa reachtaíochta ar leith:

• An tAcht um Eitic in Oifigí Poiblí 1995, arna leasú leis an Acht um Chaighdeáin in Oifigí Poiblí 2001, (na hAchtanna Eitice);

• An tAcht Toghcháin 1997, arna leasú, (na hAchtanna Toghcháin);

• An tAcht um an Oireachtas (Oifigí Aireachta agus Parlaiminteacha) (Leasú) 2014; agus

• An tAcht um Brústocaireacht a Rialáil 2015.


Chomh maith leis sin, tá ról ag an gCoimisiún in imscrúdú a dhéanamh ar neamhchomhlíonadh ionchasach le Cuid 15 d’Acht Rialtais Áitiúil 2001.

Eisíonn an Coimisiún tuarascáil bliantúil ar leith ina gclúdaítear a ghníomhaíochtaí a bhaineann leis an reachtaíocht eile faoina shainordú a riar.

I mí Feabhra 2020, tháinig deireadh le tionachtaí an Chathaoirligh, an Breitheamh Onórach Daniel O’Keeffe agus an ghnáthchomhalta, an tUasal Jim O’Keeffe ag críoch a dtéarmaí sé bliana ar an gCoimisiún. Ghabh an Coimisiún buíochas leis an mbeirt acu as a ndíograis agus as an tseirbhís a sholáthair siad, agus guíonn sé gach rath orthu.

Ag tráth scríofa an doiciméid seo, ní raibh aon cheapacháin nua déanta chuig an gCoimisiún. Tá an Coimisiún ag súil le fáilte a chur roimh Chathaoirleach agus gnáthchomhalta nua in am trátha.

Ní thiocfaidh aon athrú ar chumhachtaí an Choimisiúin, agus a fhoireann tharmligthe, faoi Acht um Brústocaireacht a Rialáil 2015, i rith na hidirthréimhse seo.


Brústocaireachta

RéamhfhocalThar ceann an Choimisiúin um Chaighdeáin in Oifigí Poiblí, agus de réir fhorálacha alt 25(1) d’Acht um Brústocaireacht a Rialáil 2015, cúis áthais dom Tuarascáil Bhliantúil an Choimisiúin maidir le Brústocaireacht a Rialáil in 2019 a leagan faoi bhráid gach Tí den Oireachtas.

Sherry Perreault Ceannasaí na hEitice agus na Rialála


Ráiteas ó Cheannasaí na hEitice agus na Rialála BrústocaireachtaAgus é seo á scríobh agam, tá pobal na hÉireann agus an domhain ag iarraidh dul i ngleic le géarchéim sláinte poiblí nach bhfacthas a leithéid riamh roimhe seo, géarchéim atá ag cur isteach ar bhealach suntasach agus dosheachanta ar sholáthar seirbhísí poiblí. Tá Oifig an Choimisiúin um Chaighdeáin in Oifigí Poiblí, i dteannta le heagraíochtaí eile san earnáil phoiblí, dúnta don phobal anois, agus tá comhaltaí foirne ag obair go cianda chun an gá atá le scaradh fisiciúil a urramú. Tá iarrtha againn ar pháirtithe leasmhara teagmháil a dhéanamh leis an oifig trí ríomhphost agus tríd an teileafón, agus a bheith foighneach linn fad is atá iarracht á déanamh againn déileáil leis an saol mar atá anois.

Ó cuireadh tús leis, bhí brústocaireacht a rialáil á bainistiú go príomha trí chórais ar líne. Buntáiste mór ba ea é seo agus iarracht á déanamh againn leanúint ar aghaidh lenár seirbhísí a sholáthar i rith na géarchéime reatha. Tá cláraithe agus comhaltaí foirne in ann leanúint ar aghaidh lena gcuid oibre chomh fada is a bhaineann le clárúcháin agus tuairisceáin a chur in iúl, a dhréachtú agus a fhoilsiú. I láthair na huaire, táimid in ann leanúint ar aghaidh le haighneachtaí a phróiseáil agus le fiosrúcháin a fhreagairt laistigh de na gnáth-amlínte. Táimid ag leanúint leis an obair brústocaireachta chomh maith – agus tá athrú tagtha ar mheicníochtaí na brústocaireachta, de dhroim riachtanais, agus tá níos mó glaonna teileafóin á ndéanamh, níos mó ríomhphost á seoladh, agus níos mó físchomhráite á ndéanamh seachas cruinnithe aghaidh ar aghaidh.

Sherry Perreault Cheannasaí na hEitice agus na Rialála Brústocaireachta


Is ag amanna mar seo a thuigimid an ról suntasach atá ag brústocaireacht i dtionchar a imirt ar dhíospóireacht phoiblí agus ar chinnteoireacht: tá comhlachtaí abhcóideachta ag lorg tacaíochta do phobail leochaileacha, tá grúpaí ionadaíocha ag tarraingt airde ar ábhair atá ag déanamh imní d’oibrithe nó do ghnóthaí, agus freagra na n-oifigeach poiblí a bhfuil cinneadh le déanamh acu maidir le cathain, cá háit agus conas idirghabháil a dhéanamh.

Is uirlis dhlisteanach agus thábhachtach í an bhrústocaireacht i bpróisis chinnteoireachta. Ní mór gur uirlis thrédhearcach a bheadh inti, agus ní mór dóibh siúd a bhíonn i mbun brústocaireachta leanúint leis na hoibleagáidí a chomhlíonadh agus tuairisceáin maidir lena ngníomhaíochtaí brústocaireachta a chlárú agus a sheoladh ar aghaidh.

Sna seachtainí agus sna míonna amach romhainn, b’fhéidir go mbeidh cuid dár gcomhaltaí foirne á n-athimlonnú chuig comhlachtaí poiblí eile chun cabhrú le seirbhísí riachtanacha túslíne a chur ar fáil. I rith thréimhse seo na n-athruithe agus na héiginnteachta, cuirfidh an Coimisiún obair i gcrích a áiritheoidh soláthar éifeachtach a shainordaithe, trí thacaíocht agus treoir thráthúil a chur ar fáil do pháirtithe leasmhara ag a bhfuil oibleagáidí reachtúla, agus leanfar le feidhmiú an Chláir Brústocaireachta. Tá an t-eolas agus an nuacht is déanaí le fáil ar ár suíomh gréasáin (www.lobbying.ie) agus cuntas Twitter.

Le bliain anuas, tá méadú beag tagtha ar fhorbairt an Chláir Brústocaireachta, agus tá breis is 1,900 cláraí agus breis is 40,000 tuairisceán sa chóras anois. Tá an chuma ar an scéal go bhfuil na huimhreacha ag cobhsú le bliain anuas nó mar sin, rud a bhfuil ciall leis sa mhéid is go mbeidh cláraithe nua ag teacht isteach sa chóras agus go mbeidh cláraithe nua ag éirí as an mbrústocaireacht.

Ní féidir linn a bheith cinnte faoin gcuma a bheidh ar chlárúchán iomlán, agus, dá réir sin, tá an Coimisiún ag leanúint le hanailís a dhéanamh ar shonraí ar an gclár lena áirithiú go mbeidh na tuairisceáin a mbeimis ag súil leo á bhfeiceáil againn – trí éagsúlú réigiúnach, earnálach agus ábhair a léiriú ar an gClár Brústocaireachta mar atá sé i ndáiríre. Chomh maith leis sin, leanfaimid ar aghaidh lenár n-iarrachtaí cumarsáide agus for-rochtana, lena áirithiú go dtuigeann daoine a bhféadfadh oibleagáidí a bheith orthu faoin Acht forálacha an Achta, agus chun a gcomhlíonadh a éascú. Ar deireadh, táimid ag leanúint leis an imscrúdú, agus más gá, le ceanglais an Achta tuairisceáin a chlárú agus a sheoladh ar ais a fhorfheidhmiú. Is léir, áfach, gur eisceachtaí den chuid is mó iad daoine nach bhfuil ag comhlíonadh anois, agus go bhfuil an chuma ar scéal gur gnáthrud é comhlíonadh anois.

https://www.lobbying.ie/

https://www.lobbying.ie/


Le bliain anuas, sheol an Roinn Caiteachais Phoiblí agus Athchóirithe a dara hathbhreithniú reachtach ar Acht um Brústocaireacht a Rialáil 2015. Cosúil leis an gcéad athbhreithniú, rinne an Coimisiún aighneacht shuntasach i ndáil leis an athbhreithniú, agus sainaithníodh réimsí ina bhféadfadh an tAcht tairbhe a bhaint as roinnt leasaithe nó soiléirithe. D’fhoilsigh an Roinn a tuarascáil ag tús 2020, agus níl sé beartaithe iarratas a dhéanamh an tAcht a leasú i láthair na huaire. Cé gur cúis díomá don Choimisiún nár glacadh lena mholtaí, leanfaidh an Coimisiún le cur chuige praiticiúil agus ciallmhar a bheith aige maidir le cur chun feidhme.

Is mian liom an deis seo a thapú chun buíochas a ghabháil le foireann an Choimisiún agus leis an Rúnaíocht as an obair atá déanta acu le bliain anuas, agus as a ndíograis agus buanseasmhacht i rith na tréimhse dúshlánaí seo.

Thar ceann an Choimisiúin agus ár bhfoireann, is mian liom gach rath a ghuí oraibh agus ar bhur muintir, agus tá súil agam go bhfuil sibh ar fad slán sábháilte.

Caibidil a hAon:Clárúcháin agus Tuairisceáin

9Brústocaireacht a Rialáil 2019Caibidil a hAon • Clárúcháin agus Tuairisceáin

Caibidil a hAon Clárúcháin agus TuairisceáinCeanglaíodh ar dhaoine a bhí i mbun brústocaireachta tuairisceáin maidir le gníomhaíocht brústocaireachta a chlárú agus a sheoladh ar ais faoi spriocdháta reachtúil forordaithe, má bhí brústocaireacht á déanamh acu laistigh de thréimhse tuairiscithe ainmnithe. Bhí trí thréimhse tuairiscithe ann i rith 2019, eadhon: An 1 Eanáir - An 30 Aibreán, An 1 Bealtaine - An 31 Lúnasa, agus an 1 Meán Fómhair - An 31 Nollaig. Ba iad na spriocdhátaí tuairiscithe faoi seach le haghaidh na dtréimhsí seo an 21 Bealtaine 2019, an 21 Meán Fómhair 2019 agus an 21 Eanáir 2020.

1.1 Iarratais chlárúcháinI rith 2019, rinneadh 160 iarratas clárúcháin nua. Déantar gach iarratas a athbhreithniú lena áirithiú go gceanglaítear ar an duine clárú agus go bhfuil an duine sin cláraithe i gceart. Seoltar litir chuig gach iarratasóir nua ina dtarraingítear aird ar spriocdhátaí na tréimhse tuairiscithe, dea-chleachtais maidir le riaradh cuntais agus mionsonraí maidir le forálacha forfheidhmiúcháin. Cuireadh stop le nó baineadh 118 clárú den chlár má bhí siad lasmuigh de raon feidhme an Achta.

1.2 Tuairisceáin ar ghníomhaíochtaí brústocaireachtaTráth scríofa na tuarascála seo, bhí breis is 9,600 tuairisceán maidir le gníomhaíochtaí brústocaireachta curtha ar fáil i ndáil leis na trí thréimhse tuairiscithe in 2019. Leagtar amach sna graif in Aguisín a Trí líon na dtuairisceán a fuarthas i ndáil le gach tréimhse iomchuí agus na “nithe iomchuí” is coitianta agus réimsí beartais ar ar bunaíodh gníomhaíochtaí brústocaireachta.

Rinneadh athbhreithniú ar gach tuairisceán brústocaireachta a cuireadh ar fáil in 2019 lena fhíorú go raibh alt 12 den Acht á chomhlíonadh acu, go raibh an fhaisnéis a cuireadh ar fáil soiléir agus lán de bhrí, agus gur cuireadh gach tuairisceán ar fáil sa bhealach agus san fhoirm a cheanglaíonn an Coimisiún. Áiríodh i measc na saincheisteanna ar déileáladh leo i ndáil le tuairisceáin i rith 2019:

• Iltuairisceáin ó chláraí i ndáil le gníomhaíochtaí brústocaireachta curtha i gcrích maidir leis an ábhar céanna i rith tréimhse iomchuí. Ba cheart tuairisceáin i ndáil leis an ábhar céanna a thiomsú i dtuairisceán amháin don tréimhse sin.

10 Brústocaireacht a Rialáil 2019Caibidil a hAon • Clárúcháin agus Tuairisceáin

• Faisnéis dhoiléir, go háirithe i réimse na dtorthaí beartaithe. Ba cheart go mbeadh dóthain faisnéise i dtuairisceáin lena áirithiú go bhfuil siad soiléir agus trédhearcach.

• Iar-Oifigigh Phoiblí Ainmnithe (OPAanna) a chur san áireamh, a d’fhéadfadh a bheith faoi réir na tréimhse shuaimhnithe dá bhforáiltear le halt 22 den Acht, mar dhaoine aonair a tuairiscíodh a lean le gníomhaíochtaí brústocaireachta. Lorgóidh an Coimisiún faisnéis sa chás go n-ainmnítear iar-OPA i dtuairisceán a bhféadfadh oibleagáidí iar-fhostaíochta a bheith air/uirthi.

• Sa chás gur ann do cheist maidir le cibé an ní iomchuí nó nach ea é ábhar an tuairisceáin, labhróidh an fhoireann leis an gcláraí chun soiléiriú a fháil maidir le cibé an bhfuil nó nach bhfuil gá le tuairisceán maidir le gníomhaíochtaí brústocaireachta i ndáil leis na ní ar leith.

Má aimsíonn an Coimisiún go bhfuil faisnéis atá le fáil i dtuairisceán maidir le gníomhaíochtaí brústocaireachta mícheart, míthreorach nó gann ar mhionsonraí, féadfaidh an Coimisiún a chumhachtaí a úsáid faoi alt 13 chun an tuairisceán a bhaint nó ceartú an tuairisceáin a iarraidh, de réir mar is cuí. Go ginearálta, comhoibríonn cláraithe leis an gCoimisiún nuair a iarrtar orthu a dtuairisceáin a leasú nó breis faisnéise a chur ar fáil. Mura gceartaítear nó mura mbaintear faisnéis atá mhícheart, féadfaidh an Coimisiún, faoi alt 13 (3), an fhaisnéis a bhaint ón gclár láithreach. Is í an éifeacht a bheidh aige seo go meastar nach ndearna an cláraí an tuairisceán ar an gcéad dul síos agus go bhfuil an baol ann go mbeidh an cláraí ag neamhchomhlíonadh.

1.3 Uasghráduithe ar an gclár in 2019Déantar athbhreithniú ar fheidhmíocht an chláir ar líne go rialta, bunaithe ar pheirspictíocht an úsáideora agus ar pheirspictíocht an Choimisiúin mar riarthóir, lena áirithiú go bhfuil sé ag feidhmiú chomh héifeachtach agus chomh héifeachtúil agus is féidir. In 2019, cuireadh roinnt uasghráduithe i bhfeidhm ar an gcóras chun inúsáidteacht agus feidhmiúlacht an chláir a fheabhsú do chláraithe agus chun cúrsaí riaracháin a éascú.

Áirítear i measc na n-uasghráduithe cur leis an acmhainn chun cumarsáid a dhéanamh le cláraithe trí fhógraí ábharshonracha ar dheais chuntas an bhrústocaire. Úsáideadh an acmhainn seo chun cláraithe a spreagadh chun riarthóirí cúltaca a shainaithint dá gcuntais. Féadfar tuilleadh uasghráduithe a chur chun feidhme más gá.

11Brústocaireacht a Rialáil 2019Caibidil a hAon • Clárúcháin agus Tuairisceáin

Caibidil a Dó:Oibríochtaí

Brústocaireacht a Rialáil 2019Caibidil a Dó • Oibríochtaí

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Caibidil a Dó OibríochtaíCeanglaíonn Alt 25(2) den Acht go n-áireofaí an fhaisnéis seo a leanas sa tuarascáil seo:

• aon chinntí déanta faoi alt 14 nó i bhfeidhm i rith na bliana sin (iarratas mhoillithe foilseacháin);

• aon imscrúduithe curtha i gcrích faoi alt 19 agus déanta sa bhliain sin;

• aon iarratais ar thoiliú déanta faoi alt 22 (srianta iar-fhostaíochta) agus gach cinneadh maidir le hiarratais den sórt sin, déanta sa bhliain sin;

• aon chiontuithe le haghaidh cionta faoi alt 20 déanta sa bhliain sin; agus

• aon Fhógraí maidir le hÍocaíocht Shocraithe (FISanna) seirbheáilte faoi alt 21 sa bhliain sin.

Ní mór an fhaisnéis seo a sholáthar i bhfoirm nach gcumasaíonn sainaithint na ndaoine lena mbaineann.

2.1 Cinntí faoi alt 14 den AchtFaoi alt 14 den Acht, féadfaidh duine iarratas a dhéanamh moill a chur ar fhoilsiú na faisnéise atá le fáil in iarratas an duine gníomhaíochtaí brústocaireachta a chlárú nó ina t(h)uairisceán. Tá eolas maidir le ról an Choimisiúin i gcinneadh a dhéanamh maidir le hiarratais moill a chur ar fhoilsiú le fáil in Aguisín a hAon den tuarascáil seo.

Ní dhearnadh aon iarratas chun moill a chur ar fhoilsiú tuairisceáin sa chlár faoi alt 14 den Acht in 2019.


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2.2 Imscrúduithe faoi alt 19 den AchtForáiltear le hAlt 19 an t-údarás don Choimisiún chun imscrúduithe a dhéanamh ar sháruithe ar an Acht a d’fhéadfadh a bheith i gceist.

Déantar faireachán ar ghníomhaíocht brústocaireachta neamhchláraithe trí roinnt foinsí faisnéise, cosúil le hailt sna meáin, fógraí meán sóisialta, reachtaíocht bheartaithe, gearáin, tuairisceáin bhrústocaireachta reatha nó faisnéis eile a fhaigheann an Coimisiún.

In 2019, cuireadh tús le 22 imscrúdú faoi alt 19 den Acht maidir le gníomhaíocht brústocaireachta a d’fhéadfadh a bheith neamhthuairiscithe nó neamhchláraithe. I rith na bliana, chuir an tAonad Gearán agus Imscrúduithe (CIU) clabhsúr le 12 imscrúdú. As an 12 imscrúdú, cuireadh deireadh le roinnt acu sa chás go raibh a gcuid oibleagáidí faoin Acht á gcomhlíonadh ag an duine/ag an eagraíocht ina dhiaidh sin. Leanadh ar aghaidh le 10 n-imscrúdú in 2020.

2.3 Iarratais ar thoiliú faoi alt 22 den AchtForáiltear le hAlt 22 den Acht go bhfuil Airí, Airí Stáit, comhairleoirí speisialta agus oifigigh shinsearacha phoiblí atá forordaithe chun críocha alt 6(1) den Acht faoi réir thréimhse bliana “suaimhnithe” i ndiaidh dóibh an oifig a fhágáil, tréimhse nuair nach gceadaítear dóibh páirt a ghlacadh i ngníomhaíochtaí brústocaireachta in imthosca sonracha, nó a bheith fostaithe ag, nó seirbhísí a sholáthar, do dhuine a bhfuil gníomhaíochtaí brústocaireachta á ndéanamh aige/aici in imthosca sonracha, seachas le toiliú an Choimisiúin.

Féadfaidh duine atá faoi réir na tréimhse shuaimhnithe iarratas a dhéanamh ar an gCoimisiún chun an tréimhse shuaimhnithe a laghdú nó a tharscaoileadh. Tá breis faisnéise maidir le forálacha alt 22 den Acht agus ról an Choimisiúin i ndáil le halt 22 den Acht leagtha amach in Aguisín a hAon den tuarascáil seo.

Fuair an Coimisiún dhá iarratas ar thoiliú faoi alt 22 den Acht in 2019. Tá tuilleadh mionsonraí le fáil sna cás-staidéir thíos.


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Cás-staidéar 1 Bhí an t-iarratasóir ag obair mar chomhairleoir speisialta i roinn rialtais agus bhí sé/sí tar éis glacadh le fostaíocht i ngnólacht príobháideach i ndiaidh a p(h)ost in oifig phoiblí a fhágáil.

Bhí an chuideachta a raibh an t-iarratasóir fostaithe aici anois ainmnithe ar an gClár Brústocaireachta. Ní raibh gníomhaíochtaí brústocaireachta curtha i gcrích aige roimhe seo, áfach, le hiar-chomhlacht poiblí nó le hiar-chomhghleacaithe an iarratasóra.

De bhrí nach raibh aon bhaint ag an iarratasóir le gníomhaíochtaí toirmiscthe faoi alt 22 den Acht, ní raibh úsáid bainte aige/aici as a (h)oibleagáidí toiliú an choimisiúin a lorg roimh ghlacadh leis an bpost. De bhrí gur mheas an fostóir, áfach, go bhféadfadh brústocaireacht ar iar-chomhlacht poiblí an duine a bheith i gceist amach anseo, ceanglaíodh toiliú a fháil chun leanúint leis an bhfostaíocht.

Dheimhnigh an t-iarratasóir agus an eagraíocht araon nach mbeifí ag súil leis go nglacfadh an t-iarratasóir páirt in nó go dtabharfadh sé/sí comhairle maidir le haon ghníomhaíochtaí brústocaireachta a bheadh dírithe ar iar-fhostóir an iarratasóra nó nasctha le OPAanna i rith na tréimhse iomchuí. D’fhéadfaí socruithe oiriúnacha a dhéanamh lena áirithiú nach raibh baint ag an iarratasóir le nó nach raibh sé/sí ionpháirteach in eolas faoi ghníomhaíochtaí nó pleananna brústocaireachta dá leithéid.

Ní raibh aon fhianaise ann gur sháraigh an t-iarratasóir aon oibleagáidí faoi alt 22 den Acht trí ghlacadh leis an bhfostaíocht seo. Bunaithe ar an bhfaisnéis a cuireadh ar fáil, chomhaontaigh an Coimisiún tarscaoileadh a dheonú don deich mí dheireanacha den tréimhse shuaimhnithe. Bhí an tarscaoileadh faoi réir, áfach, roinnt coinníollacha a bhí deartha lena áirithiú nár lean an duine le gníomhaíochtaí brústocaireachta in imthosca atá leagtha amach in alt 22.

Ní bhfuarthas aon achomharc.

Mar a léiríonn an cás seo, féadfaidh iar-OPA glacadh le fostaíocht sa chás nach bhfuil a c(h)uid oibleagáidí faoi alt 22 den Acht i gceist ar dtús. Sa chás go n-athraíonn imthosca, d’fhéadfadh go mbeadh oibleagáid i gceist ina dhiaidh sin a chiallódh go mbeadh gá le toiliú an Choimisiúin ionas gur féidir leis an duine leanúint lena f(h)ostaíocht.


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Cás-staidéar 2Bhí an t-iarratasóir ag obair mar chomhairleoir speisialta i roinn rialtais agus bhí sé/sí ag iarraidh glacadh le fostaíocht i gcuideachta a bhí ainmnithe ar an gclár brústocaireachta. Bhí an t-iarratasóir ag iarraidh na ceithre mhí dheireanacha den tréimhse shuaimhnithe a tharscaoileadh d’fhonn tabhairt faoin bhfostaíocht seo.

Chuir an Coimisiún san áireamh go raibh an chuideachta ina raibh an t-iarratasóir ag iarraidh glacadh le fostaíocht tar éis brústocaireacht a dhéanamh ar an Roinn inár oibrigh sé/sí roimhe seo. Bhí an t-iarratasóir liostaithe ar thuairisceáin a bhí déanta ag an gcuideachta roimhe seo, mar aon le OPAanna eile, mar dhaoine a ndearna an chuideachta brústocaireacht orthu. Níor tharla aon bhrústocaireacht dá leithéid, áfach, i rith na bliana sula ndearnadh an t-iarratas. Cuireadh in iúl don Choimisiún go raibh an ról tairgthe don iarratasóir i ndiaidh próiseas iomaíoch.

Dheimhnigh an t-iarratasóir agus an chuideachta araon nach mbeifí ag súil leis go nglacfadh an t-iarratasóir páirt in nó go dtabharfadh sé/sí comhairle maidir le haon ghníomhaíochtaí brústocaireachta toirmiscthe a bhainfeadh le h-iar-fhostóir an iarratasóra nó a bheadh nasctha le OPAanna i rith na tréimhse iomchuí. Chomh maith leis sin, dheimhnigh an fostóir nach raibh sé i gceist aige brústocaireacht a dhéanamh ar iar-roinn an iarratasóra i rith an chuid eile den tréimhse shuaimhnithe agus nach mbeadh cead ag an duine páirt a ghlacadh in aon ghníomhaíochtaí brústocaireachta a bhí dírithe ar a n-iar-chomhlacht poiblí nó ar a n-iar-chomhghleacaithe.

Chomhaontaigh an Coimisiún tarscaoileadh a dheonú don cheithre mhí dheireanacha den tréimhse shuaimhnithe. Bhí an tarscaoileadh faoi réir, áfach, roinnt coinníollacha a bhí deartha lena áirithiú nár lean an duine le gníomhaíochtaí brústocaireachta in imthosca atá leagtha amach in alt 22.

Ní bhfuarthas aon achomharc.


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2.4 Cionta faoi alt 20 den AchtCionta faoi alt 20(1) – Tuairisceán dheireanacha

Ní mór tuairisceáin a chur ar fáil roimh an spriocdháta reachtúil atá sonraithe san Acht. Foráiltear le hAlt 21 den Acht gur féidir leis an gCoimisiún Fógra maidir le hÍocaíocht Shocraithe (FIS) de €200 a sheirbheáil ar dhuine a chuir tuairisceán maidir le gníomhaíochtaí brústocaireachta ar fáil go deireanach. Mar atá sonraithe in alt 2.5 thíos, eisíodh 290 fógra maidir le híocaíocht shocraithe le haghaidh tuairisceán deireanach in 2019. Íocadh a bhformhór laistigh de na spriocdhátaí forordaithe.

Má theipeann ar dhuine an pionós a íoc laistigh de 21 lá, eisíonn an Coimisiún fógra ciona faoi alt 20(1), agus féadfaidh sé leanúint ar aghaidh chun an cion maidir le tuairisceán deireanach a ionchúiseamh. Dlífear an duine a chiontú go hachomair le haghaidh fíneáil Aicme C (€2,500 i láthair na huaire).

Líon na bhFógraí A. 20(1) eisithe

Maidir le tréimhsí tuairisceán 2019

Maidir le tréimhsí tuairisceán 2018

Tarchurtha le haghaidh ionchúisimh

28 19 9 1

I bhformhór na gcásanna, íocann daoine a fhaigheann fógra ciona an FIS atá gan íoc. I mí Meithimh 2019, áfach, rinneadh an chéad chiontú faoi alt 20(1) den Acht. Theip ar an eagraíocht i gceist tuairisceáin maidir le gníomhaíocht brústocaireachta a chur ar fáil faoin spriocdháta agus dhiúltaigh an eagraíocht i gceist na hoibleagáidí a chomhlíonadh. D’fhorchuir an chúirt fíneáil de €1,250 agus bronnadh costais ar an gCoimisiún.

Cionta faoi alt 20(2) – Teip tuairisceán maidir le gníomhaíochtaí brústocaireachta a chur ar fáil

Ceanglaítear ar chláraí tuairisceán a dhéanamh maidir le gníomhaíochtaí brústocaireachta, lena n-áirítear tuairisceán folamh, faoin spriocdháta reachtúil. Is ionann teip é seo a dhéanamh agus cion, agus dlífear an duine, ar chiontú achomair, d’fhíneáil uasta de €2,500.

Eisíonn an Coimisiún fógra ciona d’aon chlárú a dteipeann air/uirthi tuairisceán a chur ar fáil faoin spriocdháta, agus tugtar coicís bhreise don duine tuairisceán maidir le gníomhaíochtaí brústocaireachta a chur ar fáil. Má theipeann ar an duine an tuairisceán a chur ar fáil faoin dáta sin, féadfaidh an Coimisiún leanúint ar aghaidh agus an cion a ionchúiseamh faoi alt 20(2) den Acht.

In 2019, d’eisigh an Coimisiún 97 fógra ar fad ag cur in iúl don chláraí go raibh sé beartaithe aige ionchúiseamh a dhéanamh murar cuireadh tuairisceán maidir le gníomhaíochtaí brústocaireachta ar fáil. I roinnt cásanna, aimsíodh nach raibh sé de cheangal ar an gcláraí a bheith ar an gclár, de bhrí go raibh sé/sí nó an chumarsáid lasmuigh de raon feidhme an Achta. I ngach cás eile, chinn an cláraí comhlíonadh agus níor leanadh leis an ionchúiseamh.


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Líon na bhFógraí alt 20(2) eisithe.

Maidir le tréimhsí tuairisceán 2019.

Maidir le tréimhsí tuairisceán 2018.

Tarchurtha le haghaidh ionchúisimh.

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Comhlíonadh a spreagadh

Tá an Coimisiún ag leanúint le comhlíonadh a spreagadh ag luathchéim. Bhí for-rochtain agus cumarsáid éifeachtach le brústocairí cláraithe ag luathchéim mar bhonn le líon na gcomhad atá á dtarchur le haghaidh ionchúisimh gach bliain a laghdú. Cúis ionaidh b’fhéidir, is ea go bhfuil sé de nós ag formhór na ndaoine a gcuid oibleagáidí a chomhlíonadh nuair a dhéanann an t-aonad Gearán agus Imscrúduithe (CIU) teagmháil leo. Tá cur chuige nach bhfuil chomh trócaireach céanna ag an gCoimisiún maidir le brústocairí a dteipeann orthu arís agus arís eile aird a thabhairt ar thréimhsí tuairisceáin nó a dteipeann orthu comhlíonadh leis an gCoimisiún nó plé a dhéanamh leis an gCoimisiún. Ina leithéid sin de chásanna, féadfaidh an Coimisiún cinneadh a dhéanamh imeachtaí a thionscnamh. Sa chás go n-oibríonn an brústocaire leis an gCoimisiún agus go mbaintear comhlíonadh amach, go ginearálta socraítear an cás agus aistarraingítear na himeachtaí.

Tá líon na bhfógraí atá á n-eisiúint ag an gCoimisiún ag laghdú bliain i ndiaidh bliana, chomh fada is a bhaineann le tuairisceáin dheireanacha agus neamhthuairisceáin. Is fianaise eile fós é seo ar an méid ama a caitheadh ag iarraidh comhlíonadh a spreagadh. Lena chois sin, caitear go leor ama ar athbhreithniú a dhéanamh ar chláraithe (nua agus reatha) lena áirithiú go gceanglaítear ar gach duine atá cláraithe a bheith ainmnithe ar an gclár. Má shíleann an Coimisiún nach bhfuil sé de cheangal ar dhuine nó ar eagraíocht clárú, déanfaidh an Coimisiún teagmháil leis an gcláraí chun athbhreithniú a dhéanamh ar cheanglais an Achta. Tá an cur chuige seo ag leanúint lena áirithiú go gcaitear níos lú ama agus acmhainní ar neamhchomhlíonadh a aimsiú.

2.5 Fógraí le haghaidh Íocaíocht Shocraithe seirbheáilte faoi alt 21 den AchtTá an clár ar líne deartha lena áirithiú go n-eisítear fógra le haghaidh íocaíocht shocraithe (FIS) go huathoibríoch don duine a bhfuil tuairisceán deireanach á chur ar fáil aige/aici. Cuireann an FIS in iúl don duine go bhfuil 21 lá aige/aici chun é a íoc.

FISanna eisithe in 2019

Líon na FISanna eisithe

Bainteach le tréimhsí iomchuí 2019

Bainteach le tréimhsí iomchuí eile

Íoctha Cealaithe Neamhíoctha

290 203 87 244 41 5


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Tá gníomhaíochtaí forfheidhmiúcháin maidir le cúig FIS neamhíoctha fós ar siúl. Bhí líon na FISanna a eisíodh i ndáil leis na trí thréimhse iomchuí roimhe (2019) cothrom le 290.

Is ionann staitistic chomhlíonta na bliana seo agus feabhas suntasach i gcomparáid leis na blianta roimhe seo inar eisíodh FISanna, mar is léir ón tábla thíos.

An bhliain forfheidhmiúcháin

An líon iomlán FISanna eisithe

2019 290

2018 522

2017 522

Cé gur chealaigh an Coimisiún roinnt FISanna in 2019, ní dhéanfaidh sé amhlaidh go ginearálta ach le haghaidh na gcúiseanna seo a leanas:

• sa chás gur chuir fadhb theicniúil ar lobbying.ie cosc ar an duine tuairisceán a chur ar fáil in am;

• sa chás gur tharla earráid riaracháin a chiallaíonn go ndearna an duine, trí bhotún, tuairisceán faoi dhó don tréimhse mhícheart; agus/nó

• a chás nach raibh sé de cheangal ar an duine clárú agus gur chláraigh sé/sí trí bhotún.

2.6 Faisnéis maidir le hOifigigh Phoiblí Ainmnithe ar shuíomhanna gréasáin comhlachtaí poiblíCeanglaíonn an tAcht go bhfoilsíonn gach comhlacht poiblí ceaptha faoi alt 6(4) den acht liostaí cothrom le dáta dá OPAanna. Soláthraíonn Lobbying.ie naisc ábhartha le haghaidh na leathanach seo do chomhlachtaí poiblí atá ceaptha faoin Acht.

Roimh dheireadh gach tréimhse tuairisceáin, iarrtar ar chomhlachtaí poiblí liosta a sheiceáil, agus a uasghrádú más gá, ar a dtaispeántar ainm, grád agus mionsonraí achomair maidir le ról agus freagrachtaí gach Oifigeach Poiblí Ainmnithe forordaithe laisigh don chomhlacht. Chomh maith leis sin, iarrtar orthu faisnéis a bhaineann le grúpaí oibre nó tascfhórsaí atá ag feidhmiú faoina gcoimirce a dheimhniú agus a nuashonrú, d’fhonn a aithint cibé an raibh nó nach raibh eagraíochtaí ag cloí leis an gCód Trédhearcachta, bunaithe ag an Aire Caiteachais Phoiblí agus Athchóirithe ar thosach feidhme an Achta.

Foráiltear sa Chód Trédhearcachta do dhíolúintí le haghaidh cumarsáid áirithe déanta ag an duine laistigh de raon feidhme an Achta, má dhéantar an chumarsáid i ngnáthchúrsa gnó grúpa oibre nó tascfhórsa bunaithe ag comhlacht poiblí, agus má chuireann an comhlacht poiblí an chomhaltacht, na téarmaí tagartha, cláir oibre agus miontuairiscí chruinnithe an ghrúpa ar fáil go poiblí.


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I mí Lúnasa 2019, rinne an Coimisiún teagmháil le gach comhlacht poiblí ag a bhfuil OPAanna lena fhíorú go raibh an fhaisnéis cothrom le dáta, lena n-áirítear an méid seo a leanas:

1. Go raibh leathanach bunaithe ar Bhrústocaireacht a Rialáil ag gach comhlacht iomchuí;

2. Cibé an raibh nó nach raibh an t-ainm agus an post foilsithe ar an leathanach; agus

3. Go raibh faisnéis iomchuí ag gach comhlacht ar a suíomh gréasáin maidir leis an gCód Trédhearcachta le haghaidh aon ghrúpa a bhí ag obair faoina gcoimirce.

Chomh maith leis sin, d’áirithigh an Coimisiún go raibh naisc óna shuíomh gréasáin féin beacht agus ag obair.

Ábhar misnigh ba ea torthaí an tsuirbhé seo. D’aimsigh an Coimisiún go raibh leathanach gréasáin ag gach comhlacht poiblí ag a raibh OPA agus go raibh na OPAanna liostaithe mar aon leis an bhfaisnéis iomchuí a bhain lena bpost. Maidir le gach comhlacht ag a raibh grúpa ag feidhmiú faoin gCód Trédhearcachta, bhí an fhaisnéis iomchuí foilsithe ar leathanach Rialála Brústocaireachta a suímh ghréasáin chomh maith.

2.7 Féinaithint cláraitheIn 2019, tarraingíodh aird an Choimisiúin ar shaincheist a bhain le féinaithint brústocairí ar an gclár. Sa chás gur gnó nó eintiteas carthanais é cláraí, le hainm dlíthiúil agus aitheantas trádála, féadfaidh sé clárú trí úsáid a bhaint as ceachtar díobh sin. Cé gur fúthu féin atá sé cinneadh a dhéanamh maidir leis an ainm a úsáideann siad don chlárú foirmiúil, ar mhaithe le trédhearcacht, ní mór go mbeadh úsáideoirí in ann teacht go héasca ar an gcláraí agus ar a dtuairisceáin.

I gcás amháin, chláraigh eagraíocht trí úsáid a bhaint as a hainm dlíthiúil, a bhí difriúil i gcomparáid leis an ainm ab fhearr aithne an eagraíocht. Chruthaigh sé seo deacrachtaí d’úsáideoirí teacht ar thuairisceáin a bhí déanta ag an eagraíocht. Cé nár bhain aon deacracht le comhlíonadh, ní raibh sé seo idéalach chomh fada is a bhain le trédhearcacht.

Mar fhreagra air seo, d’fhoilsigh an Coimisiún treoir ag moladh do chláraithe a n-ainm dlíthiúil a úsáid chun clárú ach tagairt a dhéanamh freisin, sa réimse saorthéacs, dá n-aitheantas is coitianta nó dá n-ainm trádála. Tá sé beartaithe freisin ag an gCoimisiún réimse nua a chur san áireamh ar leathanach an chláraí, chun deis a thabhairt do chláraithe ainmneacha eile atá in úsáid acu a chur san áireamh/”ag trádáil mar”, mar is amhlaidh an cás ar shuíomh gréasáin na hOifige um Chlárú Cuideachtaí. Beidh sé seo inrochtana tríd an bhfeidhm chuardaigh a chabhraíonn le rochtain níos éasca agus breis trédhearcachta a áirithiú. Táthar ag súil go gcuirfear an nuashonrú seo chun feidhme in 2020.

https://www.lobbying.ie/ga/cuidi%C3%BA-agus-acmhainn%C3%AD/ceisteanna-coitianta-1/aithn%C3%ADtear-mo-ghn%C3%B3thas-faoi-ainm-amh%C3%A1in-ach-t%C3%A1-ainm-dl%C3%ADthi%C3%BAil-difri%C3%BAil-air-c%C3%A9n-t-ainm-ar-cheart-dom-cl%C3%A1r%C3%BA-faoi/


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2.8 Cód IompairForáiltear le hAlt 16(1) den Acht gur féidir leis an gCoimisiún cód iompair a chur i dtoll a chéile do dhaoine a bhfuil gníomhaíochtaí brústocaireachta á ndéanamh acu “agus é mar aidhm ardchaighdeáin ghairmiúla agus dea-chleachtais a chur chun cinn”. Mar a pléadh i dtuarascáil bhliantúil na bliana seo caite, sheol an Coimisiún an Cód Iompair do dhaoine a bhfuil gníomhaíochtaí brústocaireachta á ndéanamh acu i mí na Samhna 2018, de bhun próiseas comhairliúcháin.

Forálann an Cód, a tháinig i bhfeidhm ar an 1 Eanáir 2019, le haghaidh ocht bprionsabal trínar féidir le daoine a bhfuil gníomhaíochtaí brústocaireachta á ndéanamh acu a ngníomhaíochtaí brústocaireachta a dhéanamh go trédhearcach agus go heiticiúil. Ní mór do dhuine ar bith atá i mbun brústocaireachta, lena n-áirítear fostóirí, tríú páirtithe, comhlachtaí ionadaíocha nó abhcóideachta agus daoine aonair, aird a thabhairt ar an gCód nuair a bhíonn cumarsáid á déanamh le hoifigigh phoiblí.

Tá an Cód i mbun feidhme le beagnach bliain anuas agus tá ag éirí go maith leis.

Mar chuid dá aighneacht leis an Dara hAthbhreithniú Reachtúil ar an Acht, d’iarr an Coimisiún go mbeadh an Cód infhorfheidhmithe. Go sonrach, mhol an Coimisiún go ndéanfaí alt 16 den Acht a mhionathrú ionas go mbeadh an t-údarás ag an gCoimisiún fiosrúcháin a dhéanamh agus tuairisciú ar sháruithe ar an gCód.

Roimhe sin, gheall an Coimisiún athbhreithniú a dhéanamh ar an gCód de bhun an Dara hAthbhreithnithe Reachtúil ar an Acht a bheith curtha i gcrích, sa chás go mbeadh tionchar ag aon athruithe reachtacha beartaithe ar oibriú éifeachtach an Chóid. De bhrí nár mhol an tAthbhreithniú go ndéanfaí aon athrú reachtach, níl athbhreithniú ar an gCód riachtanach i láthair na huaire. Déanfaidh an Coimisiún breithniú, áfach, ar mholtaí a rinneadh i gcomhthéacs an athbhreithnithe i ndáil le treoir bhreise a d’fhéadfadh a bheith ag teastáil.





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2.9 Cead rochtana cuntaisTá dhá leibhéal dhifriúla de rochtain cuntais ar fáil do chláraithe. Ceadaíonn an córas do dhaoine clárú mar úsáideoir nó mar riarthóir, agus baineann ceadanna difriúla le gach cineál cuntais. Tá ceadanna iomlána ag riarthóirí tuairisceáin a dhréachtú, athbhreithniú a dhéanamh ar dhréachtaí atá curtha ar fáil ag úsáideoirí, tuairisceáin a fhoilsiú, agus úsáideoirí a chur leis nó a scriosadh. Tá ceadanna níos teoranta ag cuntais úsáideora ar an gcóras a chiallaíonn gur féidir leo tuairisceáin a dhréachtú agus iad a chur ar fáil don riarthóir chun iad a athbhreithniú nó a fhoilsiú.

Chiallaigh na leibhéil dhifriúla rochtana seo, go raibh na leibhéil mhíchearta rochtana ag roinnt cláraithe roimhe seo, rud ba chúis le deacrachtaí a bheith acu a dtuairisceáin a chur ar fáil. Rinne an Coimisiún cumarsáid le gach cláraí, ag míniú na ndifríochtaí idir na cuntais agus ag soláthar treoracha maidir le conas ceadanna rochtana a athrú. Chomh maith leis sin, d’fhoilsigh an Coimisiún fógra faisnéise faoin tsaincheist seo ar a shuíomh gréasáin.

Rinneadh roinnt athbhreithnithe rochtana cuntais mar thoradh ar an treoir sin, rud a bhí mar bhonn le comhlíonadh a fheabhsú. Foilsíodh an nóta faisnéise seo ag an am céanna le laghdú ar líon na gcláraithe a raibh teagmháil á déanamh acu leis an gCoimisiún maidir le tuairisceáin a bhí curtha ar fáil go mícheart mar thoradh ar rochtain cuntais.

https://www.lobbying.ie/help-resources/frequently-asked-questions-1/what-is-the-difference-between-an-account-user-and-administrator-on-my-lobbying-registration/


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Caibidil a Trí:Cumarsáid agus For-rochtain

25Brústocaireacht a Rialáil 2019Caibidil a Trí • Cumarsáid agus For-rochtain

Caibidil a Trí Cumarsáid agus For-rochtain

3.1 Gníomhaíochtaí for-rochtana

Tá an Coimisiún ag leanúint le deiseanna a thapú chun cur le tuiscint daoine ar an Acht agus ar a oibleagáidí, agus é mar aidhm tacú le comhlíonadh éifeachtach agus dea-chleachtais a roinnt.

I mí Aibreáin, bhuail oifigigh ón Aonad um Brústocaireacht a Rialáil le toscaireacht ar cuairt ó Aireacht Inmheánach na Gearmáine chun forbairt agus cur chun feidhme an chórais brústocaireachta a phlé.

I mí Bealtaine, reáchtáil Institiúid na hÉireann um Chaidreamh Poiblí (PRII) agus Coláiste na Tríonóide, Baile Átha Cliath, fóram maidir le brústocaireacht a rialáil ag a chuir siad in iúl torthaí staidéir a rinne siad ar pheirspictíochtaí ar bhrústocaireacht a rialáil, lena n-áirítear comparáidí ar chórais ar fud an domhain a bhfuil sé mar aidhm leo brústocaireacht a rialáil. Ghlac Ceannasaí na hEitice agus na Rialála Brústocaireachta, Sherry Perreault, páirt sa díospóireacht phainéil, taobh le painéalaithe ó IBEC, Edelman Ireland agus PRII, mar aon le hiar-OPA. Fóram úsáideach ba ea an chomhdháil a thug deis don Choimisiún tuilleadh eolais agus treorach a chur ar fáil do bhrústocairí agus aiseolas maidir le heispéireas na n-úsáideoirí a fháil.

Níos déanaí an mhí sin, d’eagraigh Tionól Náisiúnta na Fraince, i gcomhpháirt leis an Ard-Údarás maidir le Trédhearcacht sa Saol Poiblí agus Dualeolaí (comhairleoir eitice) an Tionóil Náisiúnta, comhdháil maidir le brústocaireacht agus a rialáil, dar teideal “Peirspictíochtaí maidir le Brústocaireacht” (“Regards croisés sur le lobbying”). D’fhreastail lucht parlaiminte na Fraince, comhaltaí foirne agus baill den phobal acadúil ar an seimineár. Tugadh cuireadh do Cheannasaí na hEitice agus na Rialála Brústocaireachta páirt a ghlacadh i ndíospóireacht phainéil maidir le brústocaireacht a rialáil sa Fhrainc agus san Eoraip chun eispéireas na hÉireann ar an rialáil a chur i láthair.

26 Brústocaireacht a Rialáil 2019Caibidil a Trí • Cumarsáid agus For-rochtain

I ndiaidh sheoladh ó Ghréasán Rialtóirí Brústocaireachta na hEorpa in earrach 2018, reáchtáladh dara comhdháil bhliantúil an Ghréasáin i bPáras i mBealtaine 2019. Áirítear i measc chomhaltaí an Ghréasáin rialtóirí ó dhlínsí éagsúla a bhfuil brústocaireacht á rialáil ar fud na hEorpa acu, an AE san áireamh. Thug comhdháil na bliana seo deis do rannpháirtithe a n-eispéireas a mhalartú lena chéile i roinnt réimsí, lena n-áirítear comhlíonadh a chur chun cinn, sonraí a athúsáid agus cóid iompair a chruthú.

I mí Iúil, bhuail Ceannasaí na hEitice agus na Rialála Brústocaireachta le taighdeoir ón gCoimisiún Neamhspleách in aghaidh an Éillithe (ICAC) i New South Wales, an Astráil. Tá ICAC i mbun fiosrúchán poiblí faoi láthair ar rialáil na brústocaireachta, rochtain agus tionchar sa stát. Mar chuid den taighde ICAC atá á dhéanamh acu ar conas atá rialáil brústocaireachta ag feidhmiú i ndlínsí eile, roghnaíodh Éire mar chás-staidéar, agus bhí deis ag Éire a heispéireas féin ar chur chun feidhme agus oibríochtaí leanúnacha an Chláir Brústocaireachta a roinnt. Ina dhiaidh sin, cuireadh faisnéis faoi chóras na hÉireann in iúl don fhiosrúchán poiblí, atá fós ar siúl.

I mí na Samhna, d’fháiltigh an tAonad Brústocaireachta roimh bheirt chuairteoirí ó Transparency International Latvia a bhí i mbun staidéir ar an gcóras brústocaireachta. Chuir foireann na Rúnaíochta eolas ar fáil faoi phríomhghnéithe Acht um Brústocaireacht a Rialáil 2015 agus d’fhreagair siad fiosrúcháin maidir le feidhmiú an Achta.

Ar deireadh, reáchtáil an Rúnaíocht ócáid do chláraithe nua agus ionchasacha a raibh spéis acu i dtuilleadh a fhoghlaim faoin Acht.

27Brústocaireacht a Rialáil 2019Caibidil a Trí • Cumarsáid agus For-rochtain

3.2 Anailís earnálach Ag tús 2019, thug an Coimisiún faoi anailís ar na hearnálacha a bhfuil ionadaíocht á déanamh orthu ar an gClár Brústocaireachta. Shainaithin an Coimisiún trí phríomhfhachtóir a dteastaíonn tuilleadh for-rochtana, tógálaithe, forbróirí agus ailtirí uathu.

Bhuail an Coimisiún le hionadaithe ó Chónaidhm Thionscal na Foirgníochta, Institiúid Ríoga Ailtirí na hÉireann, agus Réadmhaoin Institiúideach na hÉireann chun leibhéil chlárúcháin laistigh de na hearnálacha seo a phlé, agus chun deiseanna a lorg chun for-rochtain a fheabhsú. De bhun na gcruinnithe seo, d’fhoilsigh an Coimisiún nótaí faisnéise saincheaptha do thógálaithe, forbróirí agus ailtirí. Sainaithníodh sa doiciméad deich bpointe do bhrústocairí ionchasacha, sna tionscail seo, a bheadh le cur san áireamh nuair a bheadh cumarsáid á cur i gcrích. Foilsíodh iad seo i bhfoilseacháin trádála agus ar shuíomhanna gréasáin, agus ar lobbying.ie.

In 2020, leanfaidh an Coimisiún le hanailís a dhéanamh ar an gclár chun réimsí réigiúnacha, earnálacha nó réimsí eile shainaithint a bhféadfadh tuilleadh for-rochtana nó for-rochtain shaincheaptha a bheith ag teastáil uathu.

https://www.lobbying.ie/help-resources/information-for-lobbyists/guidance-notes/

Caibidil a Ceathair:Príomh-Shaincheisteanna in 2019 agus na Chéad Chéimeanna eile

29Brústocaireacht a Rialáil 2019Caibidil a Ceathair • Príomh-shaincheisteanna in 2019 agus na chéad chéimeanna eile

Caibidil a Ceathair Príomh-Shaincheisteanna in 2019 agus na Chéad Chéimeanna eile

4.1 An Dara hAthbhreithniú ar an AchtCuireadh tosach feidhme leis an Acht um Rialáil Brústocaireachta 2015 (an tAcht) ar an 1 Meán Fómhair 2015.

Foráiltear san Acht le haghaidh athbhreithniú reachtach á dhéanamh ag an Aire Airgeadais agus Caiteachais Phoiblí agus Athchóirithe (an tAire) i ndiaidh tréimhse thosaigh de 12 mhí i ndiaidh thabhairt isteach an Achta agus ansin i ndiaidh gach tréimhse chomhleantach 3 bliana. Mar chuid den athbhreithniú seo, ní mór don Aire dul i gcomhairle leis an gCoimisiún, agus le páirtithe leasmhara eile.

Rinneadh an chéad athbhreithniú ar an Acht in 2016, agus foilsíodh an Tuarascáil i mí Feabhra an bhliain dár gcionn. Ní dhearnadh aon leasuithe ar an Acht de bhun an chéad Athbhreithnithe.

Sheol an tAire an Dara hAthbhreithniú i mí Aibreáin 2019. D’fháiltigh an Roinn Caitheachais Phoiblí agus Athchóirithe (RCPA) roimh aighneachtaí mar chuid de phróiseas comhairliúcháin phoiblí. Fuair an Roinn 27 aighneacht ar fad ó ranna rialtais, comhlachtaí ionadaíocha, grúpaí leasmhara, agus comhlachtaí agus daoine aonair éagsúla atá páirteach i mbrústocaireacht.

Chuir an Coimisiún aighneacht faoi bhráid an athbhreithnithe i mBealtaine 2019 a áiríodh inti 22 moladh ar leith maidir le sainmhínithe, oibríochtaí, oibleagáidí iar-fhostaíochta, forfheidhmiú agus nithe éagsúla eile an Achta.

Bhí an aighneacht seo bunaithe ar thaithí an Choimisiúin ar riaradh an Achta le ceithre bliana anuas. Ó tharla go bhfuil ceanglais an Achta agus an próiseas a bhaineann le tuairisceáin a chur ar fáil bunaithe faoin tráth seo, shainaithin an Coimisiún an áit a mbainfeadh an tAcht tairbhe as leasú nó soiléiriú, mar aon le roinnt réimsí nach dtagraítear dóibh san Acht agus ina mbeadh foráil shainráite úsáideach. Má ghlactar leis, síleann an Coimisiún go neartóidh na moltaí seo oibriú an Achta, agus go bhfeabhsófaí trédhearcacht agus cuntasacht.

Bhí roinnt de na moltaí atá le fáil san aighneacht seo déanta cheana féin in aighneacht a rinne an Coimisiún roimhe seo maidir leis an gcéad athbhreithniú ar an Acht nó ina thuarascálacha bliantúla.

Ar an 25 Feabhra 2020 d’fhoilsigh an Roinn Caiteachais Phoiblí agus Athchóirithe a tuarascáil maidir leis an Dara hAthbhreithniú ar an Acht um Brústocaireacht a Rialáil. Fáiltíonn an Coimisiún um Chaighdeáin le foilsiú na tuarascála maidir le feidhmiú an Achta, ach cúis díomá, áfach, don Choimisiún is ea nár glacadh le haon cheann de na moltaí a rinne sé.

https://www.lobbying.ie/ga/f%C3%BAinn/reachta%C3%ADocht/2019-an-dara-hathbhreithni%C3%BA-reachtach-ar-an-acht-um-br%C3%BAstocaireacht-a-rial%C3%A1il-2015-aighneacht-%C3%B3n-gcoimisi%C3%BAn-um-chaighde%C3%A1in-in-oifig%C3%AD-poibl%C3%AD/

https://www.gov.ie/ga/foilsiuchan/7ef279-second-statutory-review-of-the-regulation-of-lobbying-act-2015/

30 Brústocaireacht a Rialáil 2019Caibidil a Ceathair • Príomh-shaincheisteanna in 2019 agus na chéad chéimeanna eile

Tugann na moltaí sa tuarascáil le fios go bhféadfaí déileáil le formhór na n-ábhar imní faoin reachtaíocht mar chuid den phróiseas athbhreithnithe trí bhreis treorach agus soiléirithe ón gCoimisiún. Cé go bhfuil an Coimisiún ag leanúint le páirt a ghlacadh i bhfor-rochtain shaincheaptha agus go ndéanann sé athbreithniú agus nuashonrú rialta ar a threoir nuair is gá, is é tuairim an Choimisiúin nach dtugann sé seo léargas cruinn ar an raon saincheisteanna sonracha nach féidir déileáil leo ach trí leasú reachtach. Áirítear anseo, mar shampla, cumhachtaí forfheidhmiúcháin a bhunú le haghaidh sáruithe ar fhorálacha iar-fhostaíochta an Achta, agus a cheangal ar oifigigh phoiblí diúltú do ghealltanais bhreise le daoine a dteipeann orthu an tAcht a chomhlíonadh.

Leanfaidh an Coimisiún le saincheisteanna a shainaithint agus a thabhairt chun solais sa chás go bhféadfadh an tAcht tairbhe a bhaint as leasú nó soiléiriú nuair a bhíonn a leithéid i gceist. Cuirfear tús leis an tríú athbhreithniú reachtúil ar an Acht in 2022.

Féach ar Aguisín a Dó áit a bhfuil achoimre ar na moltaí a rinneadh in Aighneacht an Choimisiúin maidir leis an dara hathbhreithniú reachtúil.

4.2 Cloígh leis an gCód TrédhearcachtaMar a tugadh faoi deara thuas, d’fhoilsigh an tAire Caiteachais Phoiblí agus Athchóirithe an Cód Trédhearcachta i Meán Fómhair 2015 i gcomhar le tosach feidhme an Achta. Foráiltear sa Chód le haghaidh díolúintí ón gceanglas cumarsáid a chlárú má dhéantar an chumarsáid sin i rith cúrsa oibre “comhlacht iomchuí” agus má chloíonn an “comhlacht iomchuí” leis an gCód trína chomhaltacht, téarmaí tagartha, cláir oibre agus miontuairiscí cruinnithe a fhoilsiú. Áirítear i “gcomhlacht iomchuí” aon tascfhórsa, grúpa oibre nó coiste bunaithe ag comhlacht poiblí a áirítear i measc a gcomhaltaí OPA amháin, ar a laghad, agus duine amháin laistigh de raon feidhme an Achta, ar a laghad. Go minic bíonn na comhlachtaí iomchuí seo bunaithe ag ranna státseirbhíse agus ag údaráis áitiúla.

Sa chás go gcloínn an “comhlacht iomchuí” leis an gCód Trédhearcachta, ní gá do na comhaltaí tuairisceáin a chur ar fáil maidir leis an gcumarsáid a rinneadh laistigh den ghrúpa.

I rith 2019, rinne an Coimisiún athbhreithniú ar leibhéil lena rabhthas ag cloí leis an gCód Trédhearcachta sna húdaráis áitiúla ar fad. As an 31 comhairle contae a scrúdaíodh, ní raibh ach sé chomhairle ag cloí go hiomlán le téarmaí an Chóid, agus bhí na hocht gceanglas á gcomhlíonadh acu. Aimsíodh go raibh 13 chomhairle contae ag comhlíonadh tacaí go páirteach agus aimsíodh go raibh 12 chomhairle contae go hiomlán neamhchomhlíontach leis an gcód.



31Brústocaireacht a Rialáil 2019Caibidil a Ceathair • Príomh-shaincheisteanna in 2019 agus na chéad chéimeanna eile

Tá sé beartaithe ag an gCoimisiún tuilleadh plé a dhéanamh le húdaráis áitiúla faoin tsaincheist seo i rith 2020. Tá seans ann go bhfuil níos mó comhlachtaí iomchuí i mbun feidhme ná mar atá á thuairisciú ag go leor údarás áitiúil. Tá iarmhairt shuntasach ag oibriú na gcomhlachtaí iomchuí lasmuigh den Chód Trédhearcachta a chiallaíonn go mb’fhéidir go mbeadh cumarsáid déanta ag comhaltaí an chomhlachta iomchuí i rith chúrsa ghníomhaíochtaí an chomhlachta inchláraithe faoin Acht um Brústocaireacht a Rialáil. D’fhéadfaí go gceanglófar ar chomhaltaí seachtracha na gcomhlachtaí seo tuairisceáin a chur ar fáil maidir le cumarsáid déanta laistigh den ghrúpa ach nach mbeidís ar an eolas faoin gceanglas seo, agus go mbeidís ag neamhchomhlíonadh dá thoradh sin.

Molann an Coimisiún d’údaráis áitiúla agus do ranna státseirbhíse eolas a chur ar cheanglais, agus tacú le cloí, leis an gCód Trédhearcachta i measc a ngrúpaí oibre agus a gcoistí um beartais straitéiseacha.

Caibidil a Cúig:Moltaí le haghaidh Athraithe

33Brústocaireacht a Rialáil 2019Caibidil a Cúig • Moltaí le haghaidh Athraithe

Caibidil a Cúig Moltaí le haghaidh Athraithe Tá moltaí le haghaidh athraithe déanta ag an gCoimisiún mar chuid de na haighneachtaí a cuireadh faoi bhráid na Roinne Caiteachais Phoiblí agus Athchóirithe don Chéad Athbhreithniú Reachtúil ar an Acht um Brústocaireacht in 2016 agus an Dara hAthbhreithniú Reachtúil ar an Acht in 2019. Tá moltaí déanta ag an gCoimisiún i ngach tuarascáil bhliantúil chomh maith. Tá achoimre ar na príomhthograí atá fós gan chríochnú ó gach athbhreithniú reachtúil le fáil sa tábla thíos.

Moltaí a bhaineann le hAcht um Brústocaireacht 2015

Moltaí An Chéad Athbhreithniú

An Dara hAthbhreithniú

1. Ba cheart an tAcht a leasú chun foráil a dhéanamh a chiallaíonn go bhfuil aon chomhlachtaí ionadaíocha gnó nó “comhpháirtíochtaí” de leasanna gnó, beag beann ar líon nó stádas na bhfostaithe, laistigh de raon feidhme an Achta, sa chás go mbeadh duine amháin nó níos mó de chomhaltaí an chomhlachta/na comhpháirtíochta laistigh den raon feidhme dá mbeidís ag gníomhú iad féin. Ba cheart go gceanglófaí ar chomhaltaí den chomhlacht/den chomhpháirtíocht iad a ainmniú ar thuairisceáin atá ag tacú le trédhearcacht mhéadaithe.

2016 2019

2. Ba cheart Alt 5(3) den Acht a leasú chun foráil a dhéanamh lena chinntiú, áit a ndéanann fostaí íoctha nó sealbhóir oifige de chuid na heagraíochta cumarsáid iomchuí thar ceann eagraíocht nach dtagann laistigh de raon feidhme an Achta, go nglacfar leis mar ghníomhaíocht brústocaireachta déanta ag an eagraíocht.

2016 2019



34 Brústocaireacht a Rialáil 2019Caibidil a Cúig • Moltaí le haghaidh Athraithe



3. Ba cheart an tAcht a leasú chun sainmhíniú níos cuimsithí d’fhostaí lánaimseartha a sholáthar in alt 7.

2016 2019

4. Ba cheart Alt 5(1)(c) den Acht a leasú chun foráil a dhéanamh le haghaidh bainistiú agus stiúradh cumarsáid iomchuí faoi fhorbairt nó faoi chriosú talún, le cois a leithéid sin de chumarsáid a dhéanamh.

2016 2019

5. Ba cheart forálacha alt 5(1)(c) den Acht a theorannú do dhaoine ag a bhfuil leas ábhartha i ndáil le forbairt nó criosú talún nó atá nasctha le nó i mbun cumarsáide thar ceann duine ag a bhfuil a leithéid sin de leas.

2019

6. Ba cheart an tAcht a leasú chun cumarsáid déanta ag páirtithe polaitiúla lena gcomhaltaí OPA ina gcáil mar chomhaltaí den pháirtí a dhíolmhú.

2016 2019

7. Ba cheart go mbeadh feidhm leis an gcumarsáid díolmhaithe ag alt 7 den Acht i ndáil le caibidlíocht maidir le téarmaí agus coinníollacha na fostaíochta déanta ag ionadaithe comhlachtaí ionadaíocha fostaí eile.

2019

8. Ba cheart Alt 11(1)(b) den Acht a leasú chun seoladh ag a ndéanann duine a g(h)nó nó a “p(h)ríomhghníomhaíochtaí” a chur san áireamh.

2016 2019

9. Ba cheart an focal “buan” a bhaint ó alt 11(4) den Acht. 2019




10. Ba cheart go n-áireofaí in Alt 16 den Acht ceanglas sainráite don Choimisiún aon chód iompair a fhoilsítear faoi alt 16 den Acht a chur faoi bhráid Thithe an Oireachtais.

2016 2019

11. Ba cheart an tAcht a mhionathrú ionas go mbeadh an t-údarás ag an gCoimisiún fiosrúcháin a dhéanamh agus tuairisciú ar sháruithe ar an gCód.

2016 2019

12. Ba cheart glacadh le teip alt 22 den Acht (i ndáil le hiarratas ar thoiliú a chur ar fáil, más gá, nó i ndáil le cinneadh an Choimisiúin maidir le hiarratas ar thoiliú a chomhlíonadh) a chomhlíonadh mar shárú iomchuí faoi alt 18 den Acht agus mar chion faoi alt 20 den Acht.

2016 2019

13. Ba cheart d’fhostóirí OPAanna iomchuí a áirithiú go dtuigeann OPAanna a n-oibleagáidí iar-fhostaíochta nuair a bhíonn pleananna á ndéanamh post a fhágáil, agus gur féidir leo comhairle a lorg ón gCoimisiún nuair is gá.

2019

14. Ba cheart an tAcht a leasú chun raon feidhme alt 22 a leathnú chun comhlachtaí poiblí agus OPAanna a raibh baint, tionchar nó teagmháil shuntasach ag duine leo a chur san áireamh.

2019

15. Ba cheart an tAcht a leasú chun cead a thabhairt don Choimisiún mionsonraí áirithe a fhoilsiú maidir lena chinntí an tréimhse shuaimhnithe faoi alt 22 den Acht a tharscaoileadh nó a laghdú.

2016 2019

36 Brústocaireacht a Rialáil 2019Caibidil a Cúig • Moltaí le haghaidh Athraithe



16. Ba cheart clásal frithsheachanta a chur le liosta na sáruithe iomchuí in alt 18 den Acht.

2016 2019

17. Ba cheart go mbeadh cead ag an gCoimisiún mionsonraí achoimre d’imscrúduithe a fhoilsiú faoi alt 19 den Acht.

2016 2019

18. Ba cheart an tAcht a leasú chun oibleagáidí a bhunú chun cead a thabhairt do na OPAanna diúltú do thuilleadh cumarsáide le daoine sa chás go dtuigeann an OPA gur theip ar an duine gníomhaíochtaí brústocaireachta roimhe seo a chlárú faoin dáta iomchuí.

2016 2019

19. Ba cheart an tAcht a leasú chun foráil a dhéanamh le haghaidh údarás a thabhairt don Choimisiún ordú a thabhairt d’aon OPA diúltú déileálacha a bheith aige le duine atá ciontaithe i sárú iomchuí.

2016 2019

20. Ba cheart an tAcht a leasú chun foráil a dhéanamh le haghaidh údarás a thabhairt don Choimisiún imscrúdú a dhéanamh ar sháruithe ar na forálacha a ndéantar cur síos orthu i moladh 18 agus i moladh 19 thuas.

2016 2019

21. Ba cheart tabhairt faoi chlár oideachais a bheidh faoi stiúir na Roinne chun eolas a chur ar fáil do chomhlachtaí poiblí faoin gcumarsáid díolmhaithe faoi alt 5(5)(n) den Acht agus faoi cheanglais an Chóid Trédhearcachta.

2019




22. Ba cheart tabhairt faoi chlár oideachais a bheidh faoi stiúir na Roinne chun eolas a chur ar fáil do ghníomhaireacht stáit iomchuí faoin gcumarsáid díolmhaithe faoi alt 5(5)(m) den Acht agus faoi na himthosca a bhfuil feidhm aige.

2019

23. D’fhéadfaí athbhreithniú a dhéanamh ar Alt 22 chun cead a thabhairt don Choimisiún srianta a fhorchur ar ghníomhaíochtaí brústocaireachta a bhaineann le réimsí feidhmiúla comhlachtaí seirbhíse poiblí eile nó le OPAanna ó chomhlachtaí seirbhíse poiblí eile nach bhfuil an t-iarratasóir ‘nasctha’ leo.

Aguisín a hAon:Ról Maoirseachta an Choimisiúin faoi Acht um Brústocaireacht a Rialáil 2015

39Brústocaireacht a Rialáil 2019Aguisín a hAon • Ról Maoirseachta an Choimisiúin faoi Acht um Brústocaireacht a Rialáil 2015

Aguisín a hAon Ról Maoirseachta an Choimisiúin faoi Acht um Brústocaireacht a Rialáil 2015

Léargas ginearálta

Foráiltear leis an Acht go ndéanann duine a thagann laistigh de raon feidhme an Achta cumarsáid iomchuí (atá i mbun brústocaireachta) má dhéanann an duine cumarsáide le OPA faoi ní iomchuí. Ní mór d’aon duine atá i mbun brústocaireachta tuairisceán rialta ar líne a chlárú agus a chur ar fáil maidir lena g(h)níomhaíocht brústocaireachta.

Leagtar amach in Ailt 5(1) agus (2) den Acht na catagóirí daoine atá laistigh de raon feidhme an Achta, eadhon:

• duine ag a bhfuil níos mó ná 10 bhfostaí lánaimseartha;

• duine ag a bhfuil fostaí lánaimseartha amháin nó níos mó agus ar comhlacht é atá ann go príomha chun ionadaíocht a dhéanamh ar leasa a gcomhaltaí (dá dtagraítear dó mar “comhlacht ionadaíoch”) agus go ndéantar an chumarsáid iomchuí thar ceann aon duine de na comhaltaí;

• duine ag a bhfuil fostaí lánaimseartha amháin nó níos mó agus ar comhlacht é atá ann go príomha chun ionadaíocht a dhéanamh ar shaincheisteanna ar leith (dá dtagraítear dó mar “comhlacht abhcóideachta”) agus go ndéantar an chumarsáid iomchuí chun aon cheann de na saincheisteanna sin a chur chun cinn;

• aon duine (duine aonair nó eagraíocht) ag a bhfuil “cumarsáid iomchuí” á déanamh maidir le forbairt nó criosú talún nach ionann é agus a p(h)ríomháit chónaithe phríobháideach; agus

• “brústocaire gairmiúil” nó tríú páirtí atá á íoc chun gníomhaíochtaí brústocaireachta a dhéanamh thar ceann duine atá i gceann de na catagóirí daoine thuasluaite.

Áirítear i measc OPAanna Airí agus Airí Stáit, Comhaltaí Dháil Éireann agus Sheanad Éireann, Feisirí de Pharlaimint na hEorpa do thoghcheantair na hÉireann, agus Comhaltaí d’Údaráis Áitiúla. Áirítear i measc OPAanna freisin comhairleoirí speisialta agus na stáitseirbhísigh agus seirbhísigh phoiblí is sinsearaí atá forordaithe le hOrdú ón Aire.

40 Brústocaireacht a Rialáil 2019Aguisín a hAon • Ról Maoirseachta an Choimisiúin faoi Acht um Brústocaireacht a Rialáil 2015

Is ionann ní iomchuí agus ní a bhaineann le tionscnamh, forbairt nó mionathrú aon bheartais phoiblí nó aon chláir phoiblí; ullmhú achtacháin; nó bronnadh aon deontais, iasachta nó tacaíocht airgeadais eile, conradh nó comhaontú eile, nó aon cheadúnas nó údarú eile lena mbaineann cistí poiblí. Is cumarsáid iomchuí iad nithe a bhaineann le criosú agus forbairt talún freisin.

Foráiltear le hAlt 5(5) den Acht le haghaidh roinnt díolúintí maidir leis an rud is cumarsáid iomchuí ann.

An Clár BrústocaireachtaIs córas gréasánbhunaithe é an clár. I dteannta leis an gclár ar líne, áirítear ar an suíomh gréasáin lobbying.ie faisnéis agus uirlisí treorach ina mínítear na próisis chlárúcháin agus tuairisceáin.

Níl aon chostas le híoc chun clárú, chun tuairisceáin a chur ar fáil nó chun an fhaisnéis atá iontu a rochtain. Cé go bhfuil an Coimisiún freagrach as maoirseacht a dhéanamh ar bhunú agus ar chothabháil an chláir, tá an t-inneachar bunaithe ar an bhfaisnéis atá sna hiarratais chlárúcháin agus sna tuairisceáin a chuireann cláraithe ar fáil.

Ní mór do dhuine ar bith atá i mbun brústocaireachta tuairisceáin a chlárú agus a chur ar fáil trí huaire sa bhliain, agus “tréimhsí iomchuí” forordaithe a chlúdach (an 1 Eanáir - an 30 Aibreán, an 1 Bealtaine - an 31 Lúnasa, agus an 1 Meán Fómhair - an 31 Nollaig). Ní mór na tuairisceáin a chur ar fáil faoi na “dátaí iomchuí” forordaithe faoi seach (an 21 Bealtaine, an 21 Meán Fómhair agus an 21 Eanáir, faoi seach).

Ní mór na nithe seo a leanas a léiriú sa tuairisceán - cé air a rinneadh an bhrústocaireacht, ábhar na gníomhaíochta brústocaireachta, agus na torthaí a bhí á lorg ag an duine. Ní mór freisin cineál agus méid na gníomhaíochta brústocaireachta a léiriú sna tuairisceáin. Má rinneadh an ghníomhaíocht brústocaireachta thar ceann cliaint, ní mór mionsonraí maidir leis an gcliant a chur ar fáil sa tuairisceán.


Forálacha eileIarratais chun moill a chur ar fhoilsiú faoi alt 14 den Acht

Faoi alt 14 den Acht, féadfaidh duine iarratas a dhéanamh chun moill a chur ar fhoilsiú na faisnéise atá le fáil in iarratas an duine gníomhaíochtaí brústocaireachta a chlárú nó ina t(h)uairisceán má tá ionchas réasúnach ann go mbeidh an méid seo a leanas mar thoradh ar fhoilsiú na faisnéise:

1. Beidh éifeacht dhíobhálach thromchúiseach aige ar leasa airgeadais an Stáit, an geilleagar náisiúnta nó leasa gnó aon chineál duine (iarratas déanta faoi alt 14(1)(a) den Acht), nó

2. Beidh caillteanas airgeadais iomchuí i gceist don duine lena mbaineann an fhaisnéis nó déanfar dochar tromchúiseach do staid iomaíochta an duine sin i ndáil le slí bheatha, gairm nó gnó an duine nó toradh aon idirbheartaíochtaí conarthacha nó eile atá á gcur i gcrích ag an duine sin (iarratas déanta faoi alt 14(1)(b) den Acht).

Má dhéantar iarratas faoi alt 14(1)(a), ceanglaítear ar an gCoimisiún dul i gcomhairle le haon Aire/Airí iomchuí den Rialtas. Ní cheanglaítear ar an gCoimisiún dul i gcomhairle le hAire/le hAirí má dhéantar iarratas faoi alt 14(1)(b). (Féadfaidh an Coimisiún, áfach, glacadh leis gur cuí dul i gcomhairle le hAire maidir le hiarratas alt 14(1)(b)).

Foráiltear le hAlt 14(9) den Acht nuair a fhoilsítear tuairisceáin ina dhiaidh sin nach mór don Choimisiún míniú a fhoilsiú maidir leis an gcúis a bhí le moill a chur ar fhoilsiú.

Foráiltear le hAlt 14(11) den Acht gur féidir leis an gCoimisiún cinneadh a dhéanamh moill a chur ar fhoilsiú uair amháin nó níos mó i ndáil le faisnéis atá le fáil i dtuairisceán maidir le gníomhaíochtaí brústocaireachta.

42 Brústocaireacht a Rialáil 2019Aguisín a hAon • Ról Maoirseachta an Choimisiúin faoi Acht um Brústocaireacht a Rialáil 2015

An tréimhse “shuaimhnithe” dá bhforáiltear faoi alt 22 den Acht

Foráiltear le hAlt 22 den Acht go bhfuil Airí, Airí Stáit, comhairleoirí speisialta agus oifigigh shinsearacha phoiblí atá forordaithe chun críocha alt 6(1) den Acht faoi réir thréimhse bliana “suaimhnithe”, tréimhse nuair nach gceadaítear dóibh páirt a ghlacadh i ngníomhaíochtaí brústocaireachta in imthosca sonracha, nó a bheith fostaithe ag, nó seirbhísí a sholáthar, do dhuine a bhfuil gníomhaíochtaí brústocaireachta á ndéanamh aige/aici in imthosca sonracha. Is éard atá i gceist leis an tréimhse shuaimhnithe tréimhse bliana ón dáta ar scor an duine de bheith ina OPA.

Is iad na himthosca lena mbaineann feidhm le halt 22 den Acht cumarsáid a dhéanamh a áirítear inti leanúint le gníomhaíochtaí brústocaireachta den chineál seo a leanas:

1. Gníomhaíochtaí a bhaineann le haon chomhlacht seirbhíse poiblí ina raibh an duine fostaithe nó ina raibh an duine i seilbh oifige nó ag a raibh post eile sa bhliain roimh dó/di imeacht, nó

2. Gníomhaíochtaí a bhaineann le duine a bhí ag feidhmiú mar OPA freisin nó a bhí fostaithe nó i seilbh oifige nó ag a raibh post eile sa bhliain sular fhág an duine.

Féadfaidh duine atá faoi réir na tréimhse suaimhnithe bliana iarratas a dhéanamh ar an gCoimisiún chun an tréimhse shuaimhnithe a laghdú nó a tharscaoileadh.

Féadfaidh an Coimisiún cinneadh a dhéanamh laghdú nó tarscaoileadh na tréimhse suaimhnithe a thoiliú gan choinníoll nó féadfaidh an Coimisiún cinneadh a dhéanamh toiliú a thabhairt lena mbeadh coinníollacha ag gabháil. Féadfaidh an Coimisiún cinneadh a dhéanamh an t-iarratas a dhiúltú don tréimhse shuaimhnithe iomlán nó le haghaidh cuid den tréimhse shuaimhnithe.

Achomhairc

Faoi alt 23 den Acht féadfaidh duine arb éagóir leis/léi cinneadh de chuid an Choimisiúin faoi alt 10(5) (a bhaineann le tuairiscí maidir le faisnéis mhícheart ar an gclár), alt 14 (foilsiú moillithe), nó alt 22 (tréimhse shuaimhnithe), cinneadh an Choimisiúin a achomharc. Tá painéil d’oifigigh achomhairc neamhspleácha bunaithe ag an Roinn Caiteachais Phoiblí agus Athchóirithe chun a leithéid sin d’achomhairc a éisteacht. Faoi alt 23, cuirtear an t-achomharc faoi bhráid oifigeach achomhairc neamhspleách a d’fhéadfadh seasamh le cinneadh an Choimisiúin, nó an cinneadh a aisiompú nó cinneadh eile a dhéanamh in ionad an chinnidh.

Foráiltear le hAlt 24 den Acht gur féidir cinneadh an oifigigh achomhairc a achomharc chuig an Ard-Chúirt.


Forálacha Imscrúdaitheacha agus Forfheidhmiúcháin

Áirítear san Acht roinnt forálacha imscrúdaitheacha agus forfheidhmiúcháin a tháinig i bhfeidhm ar an 1 Eanáir 2017.

Ar deireadh, déantar foráil in alt 2 den Acht le haghaidh athbhreithniú reachtach. I ndiaidh an athbhreithnithe, féadfaidh an tAire leasuithe a d’fhéadfaí a dhéanamh don Acht a bhreithniú. Ní mór don Aire toradh an athbhreithnithe agus aon mholtaí maidir le leasuithe ar an Acht a thuairisciú do Thithe an Oireachtais.

Ionstraimí reachtúla faoin Acht um Brústocaireacht a RialáilTá seacht n-ionstraim reachtúla bunaithe faoi Acht, eadhon:

• Rialacháin an Achta um Brústocaireacht a Rialáil 2015 (Oifigigh Phoiblí Ainmnithe) (I.R. 144 de 2019);

• Ordú Rialacháin Acht um Brústocaireacht a Rialáil 2015 (Tosach Feidhme) (I.R. 152 de 2015);

• Rialacháin Acht um Brústocaireacht a Rialáil 2015 (Achomhairc) (I.R. 366 de 2015);

• Rialacháin Acht um Brústocaireacht a Rialáil 2015 (Oifigigh Phoiblí Ainmnithe) (I.R. 367 de 2015);

• Ordú Rialacháin Acht um Brústocaireacht a Rialáil 2015 (Tosach Feidhme) (I.R. 360 de 2016);

• Rialacháin Acht um Brústocaireacht a Rialáil 2015 (Fógra le haghaidh Íocaíocht Shocraithe) (I.R. 361 de 2016); agus

• Rialacháin Acht um Brústocaireacht a Rialáil 2015 (Oifigigh Phoiblí Ainmnithe) 2016 (I.R. 362 de 2016).

Aguisín a Dó:Moltaí don Dara hAthbhreithniú Reachtúil ar Acht

45Brústocaireacht a Rialáil 2019Aguisín a Dó • Moltaí don Dara hAthbhreithniú Reachtúil ar Acht

Aguisín a DóMoltaí don Dara hAthbhreithniú Reachtúil ar Acht

Moladh 1: Ba cheart an tAcht a leasú chun foráil a dhéanamh a chiallaíonn go bhfuil aon chomhlachtaí ionadaíocha gnó nó “comhpháirtíochtaí” de leasanna gnó, beag beann ar líon nó stádas na bhfostaithe, laistigh de raon feidhme an Achta, sa chás go mbeadh duine amháin nó níos mó de chomhaltaí an chomhlachta/na comhpháirtíochta laistigh den raon feidhme dá mbeidís ag gníomhú iad féin. Ba cheart go gceanglófaí ar chomhaltaí den chomhlacht/den chomhpháirtíocht iad a ainmniú ar thuairisceáin atá ag tacú le trédhearcacht mhéadaithe.

Moladh 2: Ba cheart Alt 5(3) den Acht a leasú chun foráil a dhéanamh lena chinntiú, áit a ndéanann fostaí íoctha nó sealbhóir oifige de chuid na heagraíochta cumarsáid iomchuí thar ceann eagraíocht nach dtagann laistigh de raon feidhme an Achta, go nglacfar leis mar ghníomhaíocht brústocaireachta déanta ag an eagraíocht.

Moladh 3: Ba cheart an tAcht a leasú chun sainmhíniú níos cuimsithí d’fhostaí lánaimseartha a sholáthar in alt 7.

Moladh 4: Ba cheart Alt 5(1)(c) den Acht a leasú chun foráil a dhéanamh le haghaidh bainistiú agus stiúradh cumarsáid iomchuí faoi fhorbairt nó faoi chriosú talún, le cois a leithéid sin de chumarsáid a dhéanamh.

Moladh 5: Ba cheart forálacha alt 5(1)(c) den Acht a theorannú do dhaoine ag a bhfuil leas ábhartha i ndáil le forbairt nó criosú talún nó atá nasctha le nó i mbun cumarsáide thar ceann duine ag a bhfuil a leithéid sin de leas.

Moladh 6: Ba cheart an tAcht a leasú chun cumarsáid déanta ag páirtithe polaitiúla lena gcomhaltaí OPA ina gcáil mar chomhaltaí den pháirtí a dhíolmhú.

46 Brústocaireacht a Rialáil 2019Aguisín a Dó • Moltaí don Dara hAthbhreithniú Reachtúil ar Acht

Moladh 7: Ba cheart go mbeadh feidhm leis an gcumarsáid díolmhaithe ag alt 7 den Acht i ndáil le caibidlíocht maidir le téarmaí agus coinníollacha na fostaíochta déanta ag ionadaithe comhlachtaí ionadaíocha fostaí eile.

Moladh 8: Ba cheart Alt 11(1)(b) den Acht a leasú chun seoladh ag a ndéanann duine a g(h)nó nó a “p(h)ríomhghníomhaíochtaí” a chur san áireamh.

Moladh 9: Ba cheart an focal “buan” a bhaint ó alt 11(4) den Acht.

Moladh 10: Ba cheart go n-áireofaí in Alt 16 den Acht ceanglas sainráite don Choimisiún aon chód iompair a fhoilsítear faoi alt 16 den Acht a chur faoi bhráid Thithe an Oireachtais.

Moladh 11: Ba cheart an tAcht a mhionathrú ionas go mbeadh an t-údarás ag an gCoimisiún fiosrúcháin a dhéanamh agus tuairisciú ar sháruithe ar an gCód.

Moladh 12: Ba cheart glacadh le teip alt 22 den Acht (i ndáil le hiarratas ar thoiliú a chur ar fáil, más gá, nó i ndáil le cinneadh an Choimisiúin maidir le hiarratas ar thoiliú a chomhlíonadh) a chomhlíonadh mar shárú iomchuí faoi alt 18 den Acht agus mar chion faoi alt 20 den Acht.

Moladh 13: Ba cheart d’fhostóirí OPAanna iomchuí a áirithiú go dtuigeann OPAanna a n-oibleagáidí iar-fhostaíochta nuair a bhíonn pleananna á ndéanamh post a fhágáil, agus gur féidir leo comhairle a lorg ón gCoimisiún nuair is gá.

Moladh 14: Ba cheart an tAcht a leasú chun raon feidhme alt 22 a leathnú chun comhlachtaí poiblí agus OPAanna a raibh baint, tionchar nó teagmháil shuntasach ag duine leo a chur san áireamh.

Moladh 15: Ba cheart an tAcht a leasú chun cead a thabhairt don Choimisiún mionsonraí áirithe a fhoilsiú maidir lena chinntí an tréimhse shuaimhnithe faoi alt 22 den Acht a tharscaoileadh nó a laghdú.

47Brústocaireacht a Rialáil 2019Aguisín a Dó • Moltaí don Dara hAthbhreithniú Reachtúil ar Acht

Moladh 16: Ba cheart clásal frithsheachanta a chur le liosta na sáruithe iomchuí in alt 18 den Acht.

Moladh 17: Ba cheart go mbeadh cead ag an gCoimisiún mionsonraí achoimre d’imscrúduithe a fhoilsiú faoi alt 19 den Acht.

Moladh 18: Ba cheart an tAcht a leasú chun oibleagáidí a bhunú chun cead a thabhairt do na OPAanna diúltú do thuilleadh cumarsáide le daoine sa chás go dtuigeann an OPA gur theip ar an duine gníomhaíochtaí brústocaireachta roimhe seo a chlárú faoin dáta iomchuí.

Moladh 19: Ba cheart an tAcht a leasú chun foráil a dhéanamh le haghaidh údarás a thabhairt don Choimisiún ordú a thabhairt d’aon OPA diúltú déileálacha a bheith aige le duine atá ciontaithe i sárú iomchuí.

Moladh 20: Ba cheart an tAcht a leasú chun foráil a dhéanamh le haghaidh údarás a thabhairt don Choimisiún imscrúdú a dhéanamh ar sháruithe ar na forálacha a ndéantar cur síos orthu i moladh 18 agus i moladh 19 thuas.

Moladh 21: Ba cheart tabhairt faoi chlár oideachais a bheidh faoi stiúir na Roinne chun eolas a chur ar fáil do chomhlachtaí poiblí faoin gcumarsáid díolmhaithe faoi alt 5(5)(n) den Acht agus faoi cheanglais an Chóid Trédhearcachta.

Moladh 22: Ba cheart tabhairt faoi chlár oideachais a bheidh faoi stiúir na Roinne chun eolas a chur ar fáil do ghníomhaireacht stáit iomchuí faoin gcumarsáid díolmhaithe faoi alt 5(5)(m) den Acht agus faoi na himthosca a bhfuil feidhm aige.

Aguisín a Trí:Staitisticí

0

200

Cláraithe

400

600

800

1000

1200

2015 2016 2017 2018 2019

49Brústocaireacht a Rialáil 2019Aguisín a Trí • Staitisticí

Aguisín a Trí Staitisticí

Fíor 1 – Líon iomlán na gcláraithe sa bhliain

1 Ean. 2019 - 30 Aib. 2019 1 Beal. 2019 - 31 Lún. 2019 1 MF. 2019 - 31 Noll. 2019

Talmhaíocht Forbairt Gheilleagrach agus Tionscal

Sláinte Tithíocht Ceartas agus

Comhionannas

350

300

250

200

150

100

50

0

50 Brústocaireacht a Rialáil 2019Aguisín a Trí • Staitisticí

Fíor 2 – Réimse tuairisceáin beartais phoiblí

2017 2018 2019

3000

3125

Ean. - Aib. Beal. - Lún. MF. - Noll.

3250

3375

3500


Fíor 3 – Tuairisceáin de réir na tréimhse tuairiscithe

0

50

100

150

200

250

Cosaint

Cumann Cónaitheoirí

Aeraspás

Teileachumarsáid

Siamsaíocht

Eagraíocht R

eiligiúnach

Fáilteachas

Forbairt

Idirn

áisiúnta

Na Meáin Ollc

humarsáide

Comhlachais Tithíochta

Saoránach Aonair/

Príobháideach

Miondíol

Iompar

Seirbhísí D

lí

Ceardchumann

Comhshaol

Eastát Réadach/R

éadmhaoin

Teicneolaíocht Faisnéise

Obair don Ógra

/Cúra

m Leanaí

Gnó Talmhaíochta

DéantúsaíochtSpórt

Pleanáil agus Forb

airt

Oideachas

Fuinneamh agus Acmhainní Nádúrth

aTógáil

Caidreamh Poiblí

Forbairt

Pobail

Seirbhísí A

irgeadais

Comhlacht Ionadaíoch

Sláinte

Carthanas/A

bhcóideacht

An

Líon

Clá

raith

e52 Brústocaireacht a Rialáil 2019

Aguisín a Trí • Staitisticí

Fíor 4 – Príomhghníomhaíochtaí Gnó fógartha ag cláraithe


Fíor 5 - Láthair réigiúnach na gcláraithe

An Bhreatain Mhór: 60An Chuid eile den Eoraip: 19An Chuid eile den Domhan: 9

Iomlán: 1909

Ceatharlach7

Cill Mhantáin

47

Loch Garman

23

An Cabhán11

An Clár15

Corcaigh105

Dún na nGall25

Tuaisceart Éireann16

Baile Átha Cliath 1156

Gaillimh75

Ciarraí21

Cill Dara

63

Cill Chainnigh

23

Laois10

Liatroim3

Luimneach34

An Longfort7

Lú24

Maigh Eo23

An Mhí29

Muineachán9

Uíbh Fhailí8

Ros Comáin7

Sligeach18

Tiobraid Árann

21

Port Láirge23

An Iarmhí18

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Regulation of Lobbying in 2019 Laid... · 2020-06-25 · Regulation of Lobbying in 2019. 3. Annual Report. The Commission also has a role in investigating potential non-compliance