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Reform history

Regulation of Lobbying Act 2015

2 versions · 2015-03-11

2025-12-31

IE-2015-act-5 — consolidated version 2025-12-31

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Changes on 2025-12-31

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# Regulation of Lobbying Act 2015

## PART 1 Preliminary and General

##### 1. **Short title and commencement**

@@ -22,7 +20,7 @@

(b) the period of 3 years beginning immediately after the end of the period specified in *paragraph (a)*, and

F1[(c) each subsequent successive period of 5 years beginning on the commencement ofsection 2of theRegulation of Lobbying and Oireachtas (Allowances to Members) (Amendment) Act 2023.]

(3) A report made under *subsection (1)* shall include any such recommendations for amendments of this Act, or any instrument made under it, as appear to the Minister to be appropriate in consequence of the findings resulting from the review.

@@ -44,7 +42,7 @@

(2) Regulations made under this Act shall be laid before each House of the Oireachtas as soon as may be after they are made and, if a resolution annulling the regulations is passed by either such House within the next 21 days on which that House has sat after the regulations are laid before it, the regulations shall be annulled accordingly, but without prejudice to the validity of anything previously done under the regulations.

(3) Regulations made under this Act may contain such incidental, supplementary and consequential provisions as appear to the Minister to be necessary or expedient for the purposes of the regulations.

(3) Regulations made under this Act may contain such incidental, supplementary and consequential provisions as appear to the Minister F2[or the Commission, as the case may be,] to be necessary or expedient for the purposes of the regulations.

##### 5. **Meaning of carrying on lobbying activities**

@@ -54,33 +52,31 @@

(b) makes, or manages or directs the making of, any relevant communications in any of the circumstances in which *subsection (2)* applies to the person, or

(c) makes any relevant communications about the development or zoning of land under the Planning and Development Acts 2000 to 2014.

F3[(c) makes, or manages or directs the making of, any relevant communications about the development or zoning of land under theF5[Planning and Development Acts 2000 to 2023or the Planning and Development Act 2024].]

(2) The circumstances in which this subsection applies to a person are that—

(a) the person has more than 10 full-time employees and the relevant communications are made on the person’s behalf,

(b) the person has one or more full-time employees and is a body which exists primarily to represent the interests of its members and the relevant communications are made on behalf of any of the members, or

(c) the person has one or more full-time employees and is a body which exists primarily to take up particular issues and the relevant communications are made in the furtherance of any of those issues.

F4[(d) the person has no full-time employees and is a body which exists primarily to represent the interests of its members where one or more of the members of the body would fall within the scope of one of*paragraphs (a)*to*(c)*if such member or members were to carry on lobbying activities outside of the body and the relevant communications are made on behalf of any of the members, or

(e) the person has no full-time employees and is a body which exists primarily to take up particular issues where one or more of the members of the body would fall within the scope of one of*paragraphs (a)*to*(c)*if such member or members were to carry on lobbying activities outside of the body and the relevant communications are made in the furtherance of any of those issues.]

(3) For the purposes of the operation of *subsection (1)(b)* in relation to a body in circumstances in which *paragraph (b)* or *(c)* of *subsection (2)* applies to the body, the body “makes” a relevant communication only—

(a) where it is made by an employee of the body, or

(b) where it is made by a person who holds, in the body, any office—

(i) in respect of which remuneration is payable, and

(ii) the functions of which relate to the affairs of the body as a whole,

in his or her capacity as such.

F3[(b) where it is made by a person who holds, in the body, any office the functions of which relate to the affairs of the body as a whole,]

(4) In *subsection (1)* “relevant communications” means communications (whether oral or written and however made), other than excepted communications, made personally (directly or indirectly) to a designated public official in relation to a relevant matter.

(5) The following are excepted communications:

(a) communications by or on behalf of an individual relating to his or her private affairs about any matter other than the development or zoning under the Planning and Development Acts 2000 to 2014 of any land apart from the individual’s principal private residence;

(a) communications by or on behalf of an individual relating to his or her private affairs about any matter other than the development or zoning under the F5[Planning and Development Acts 2000 to 2023 or the Planning and Development Act 2024] of any land apart from the individual’s principal private residence;

(b) communications by or on behalf of a country or territory other than the State;

@@ -120,7 +116,9 @@

(n) communications between members of a relevant body appointed by a Minister of the Government, or by a public service body, for the purpose of reviewing, assessing or analysing any issue of public policy with a view to reporting to the Minister of the Government or public service body on it;

(o) any communications of a description prescribed under *subsection (8)*.

(o) any communications of a description prescribed under *F3[subsection (8)*;]

F4[(p) communications by a political party to its members who are designated public officials and which are made exclusively in their capacity as members of the political party concerned.]

(6) In *subsection (5)(n)* “relevant body” means a body—

@@ -134,6 +132,8 @@

(9) In this section—

F4["political party" means a political party registered in the Register of Political Parties in accordance withsection 25of theElectoral Act 1992;]

“principal private residence” means a dwelling house or part of a dwelling house occupied by an individual as his or her only or main residence and includes land which the individual has for his or her own occupation and enjoyment with that residence as its garden or grounds up to an area (exclusive of the dwelling house) not exceeding one acre;

“relevant matter” means any matter relating to—

@@ -182,6 +182,10 @@

“Commission” means Standards in Public Office Commission;

F6["company" means a company formed and registered under theCompanies Act 2014or an existing company within the meaning of that Act;]

F7["Data Protection Regulation" means Regulation (EU) 2016/679 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 27 April 2016^50on the protection of natural persons with regard to the processing of personal data and on the free movement of such data, and repealing Directive 95/46/EC (General Data Protection Regulation);]

“designated public official” has the meaning given by *section 6*;

“enactment” includes an instrument under an enactment;

@@ -194,7 +198,11 @@

“Minister” means Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform;

“personal data” has the meaning given by the Data Protection Act 1988;

F8["personal data" means personal data within the meaning of—

(a) the Data Protection Regulation, or

(b) Part 5 of the Data Protection Act 2018.]

“pre-existing public service pension scheme” means an occupational pension scheme or pension arrangement, by whatever name called, for any part of the public service—

@@ -268,7 +276,13 @@

**8.** (1) Subject to *subsection (2)*, a person shall not carry on lobbying activities unless the person is a registered person.

(2) A person does not contravene *subsection (1)* in the first relevant period in which the person carries on lobbying activities if the person becomes a registered person before the relevant date.

F9[(1A) Subject to*subsection (2)*, a registered person whose entry on the Register has been marked under*section 11(4)*with a statement indicating that the person has ceased to carry on lobbying activities shall not carry on such activities.]

F10[(2) A person does not contravene*subsection (1)*or*(1A)*, as the case may be—

(a) in the first relevant period in which the person carries on lobbying activities if the person becomes a registered person before the relevant date, or

(b) in the case of a person referred to in*subsection (1A)*, in the first relevant period in which the person recommences lobbying activities if the person complies with the requirements of*section 11(5)*before the relevant date.]

##### 9. **Register of Lobbying**

@@ -304,7 +318,9 @@

(a) the person’s name,

(b) the address (or principal address) at which the person carries on business or (if there is no such address) the address at which the person ordinarily resides,

F11[(aa) the name of every person who is a member of a body referred to in*section 5(2)(d)*or*(e)*, as the case may be,]

F12[(b) the address (or principal address) at which the person carries on business or carries on the person’s main activities or (if there is no such address) the address at which the person ordinarily resides,]

@@ -318,13 +334,15 @@

(3) The person shall be taken to become a registered person on making an application that complies with *subsections (1)* and *(2)*.

(4) A registered person who has permanently ceased to carry on lobbying activities may notify the Commission, in such manner and form as the Commission may require, that the registered person wishes the person’s entry on the Register to be marked with a statement indicating that the person has permanently ceased to carry on lobbying activities and, on receipt of such notification, the Commission shall mark the person’s entry on the Register with such a statement.

(4) A registered person who has F13[…] ceased to carry on lobbying activities may notify the Commission, in such manner and form as the Commission may require, that the registered person wishes the person’s entry on the Register to be marked with a statement indicating that the person has F13[…] ceased to carry on lobbying activities and, on receipt of such notification, the Commission shall mark the person’s entry on the Register with such a statement.

F11[(5) A registered person referred to in*subsection (4)*whose entry on the Register has been marked under that subsection with a statement indicating that the person has ceased to carry on lobbying activities, and who subsequently wishes to recommence such activities, shall notify the Commission accordingly, in such form and manner as the Commission may require, and, on receipt of such notification, the Commission shall remove such statement from the person’s entry on the Register.]

##### 12. **Returns to be made by registered persons**

**12.**(1) A registered person shall, after the end of each relevant period but not later than the relevant date, make to the Commission, in such manner and form as the Commission may require, a return covering the relevant period.

(2) *Subsection (1)* shall not apply to a registered person whose entry on the Register has been marked under *section 11(4)* with a statement indicating that the person has permanently ceased to carry on lobbying activities.

(2) *Subsection (1)* shall not apply to a registered person whose entry on the Register has been marked under *section 11(4)* with a statement indicating that the person has F14[…] ceased to carry on lobbying activities.

(3) If the registered person has not carried on any lobbying activities in the period covered by the return, the return shall state that fact.

@@ -340,7 +358,9 @@

(e) the name of the individual who had primary responsibility for carrying on the lobbying activities,

(f) the name of each person who is or has been (whether before or after the passing of this Act) a designated public official employed by, or providing services to, the registered person and who was engaged in carrying on lobbying activities, and

F15[(fa) the name of every person who is a member of a body referred to in*section 5(2)(d)*or*(e)*, as the case may be, and]

(g) any such other information relating to carrying on lobbying activities as may be prescribed under *subsection (7)*.

@@ -494,7 +514,7 @@

**18.** For the purposes of this Act the following are relevant contraventions:

(a) contravening *section 8(1)*;

F16[(a) contravening*subsection (1)*or*(1A)*of*section 8*;]

(b) failing to make a return under *section 12* as required by that section;

@@ -502,7 +522,11 @@

(d) failing to comply with a requirement under *section 19(4)*;

(e) obstructing an investigation under *section 19*.

(e) obstructing an investigation under *F16[section 19*;]

F17[(f) the taking of any action by a person that has as its intended purpose the avoidance or circumvention of the person’s obligations under*section 8(1)*or*12(1)*;

(g) contravening*section 22(1)*.]

##### 19. **Power to carry out investigation**

@@ -562,7 +586,7 @@

**20.**(1) A person who commits a relevant contravention by making a return under *section 12* after the relevant date is guilty of an offence and liable on summary conviction to a class C fine.

(2) A person who commits a relevant contravention in any other way is guilty of an offence and liable—

(2) A person who commits a relevant contravention F18[under*paragraph (a)*,*(b)*(save as provided for by*subsection (1)*),*(c)*,*(d)*,*(e)*or*(f)*of*section 18]* is guilty of an offence and liable—

(a) on summary conviction to a class C fine, or

@@ -596,7 +620,19 @@

(e) contain details of how the fixed payment is to be paid.

(3) The fixed payment notice shall be served on the person by delivering it to the person or by leaving it at, or posting it to, the address (or principal address) at which the person carries on business or (if there is no such address) the address at which the person ordinarily resides (as shown on the Register).

F19[(3) The fixed payment notice may be served on the person:

(a) where the Commission has been provided with the person’s email address, by sending it to the person by electronic means to that email address, provided that a record that the email has been sent to the person is made for the sender by the email system used;

(b) by delivering it to the person;

(i) in the case of an individual, the address at which the individual ordinarily resides or any other address provided by the individual for the purposes of this section,

(ii) in the case of a company, its registered office, or

(iii) in the case of any other body corporate or unincorporated body, its principal office or place of business.]

(4) The fixed payment is €200.

@@ -618,7 +654,7 @@

(b) be employed by, or provide services to, a person carrying on lobbying activities in such circumstances,

during the relevant period except with the consent of the Commission.

during the relevant period except with F20[the prior consent of the Commission and, where that consent is subject to conditions under*subsection (5)(a)(i)(II)*, in accordance with its terms].

(2) In this section—

@@ -634,15 +670,233 @@

(4) For the purposes of *subsection (3)* a public service body is one with which a person was connected at any time if it was at that time a public service body by which the person was employed or in which the person held any office or other position.

(5) On an application for consent made to the Commission in such manner and form as the Commission may require, the Commission may, after any appropriate consultation, decide to—

(a) give consent unconditionally or subject to conditions, or

(b) refuse to give consent for the whole or any part of the relevant period.

F21[(4A) A person referred to in*subsection (1)*shall apply to the Commission for consent in such form and manner as the Commission may require.]

F20[(5) (a) Where a person referred to in*subsection (1)*makes an application to the Commission for consent, the Commission shall, after any appropriate consultation (including with the person concerned, the person’s current, former or intended employer or such other person as the Commission considers appropriate) decide to—

(i) give consent—

(I) unconditionally, or

(II) subject to conditions,

(ii) refuse to give consent for the whole or any part of the relevant period.

(b) The Commission shall notify the person in writing of the decision under*paragraph (a)*, and, in the case of a decision under*subparagraph (i)(II)*or*(ii)*of*paragraph (a)*, the reasons for the decision.

(c) A decision under*paragraph (a)*shall be made as soon as may be and, insofar as practicable, not later than 21 days after the receipt by the Commission of the application concerned.

(d) Where a decision is not or is not likely to be provided to the person concerned within the period specified in*paragraph (c)*, the Commission shall notify the person concerned as soon as practicable of the extension of that period by a further period not exceeding 7 days.]

F21[(6) Each public service body shall inform, in writing, every person who is a relevant designated public official employed by, or holding any office or other position in, that public service body of his or her obligations under this section, when taking up such employment, office or position, and when leaving such employment, office or position, in that public service body.]

F21[(7) For the purposes of the performance by the Commission of its functions under this section, as soon as practicable after a public service body becomes aware that a relevant designated public official will be leaving his or her employment, office or position held in the public service body, that public service body shall notify the Commission of—

(a) the name of the official and his or her address for correspondence, including his or her email address,

(b) the grade or rank of the official,

(d) the date on which the official will leave or left such employment, office or position.]

##### 22A. **F22[Sanctions for contravention under section 18(f) or of section 22(1)**

**22A.**(1) This section applies to a contravention under*section 18(f)*or of*section 22(1)*, as the case may be.

(2) On receipt of a report following an investigation carried out under*section 19*as to whether there has been a contravention to which this section applies, the Commission shall consider the report.

(3) Where the Commission has considered the report referred to in*subsection (2)*, the Commission shall decide, subject to*subsection (4)*—

(a) if there has been a relevant contravention to which this section applies, and

(b) if so, as it thinks fit in the circumstances of the case, whether to impose on the person under investigation—

(i) a minor sanction, or

(ii) subject to*section 22B*, a major sanction.

(4) For the purposes of making a decision under*subsection (3)*, the Commission may, if requested to do so by the person under investigation, or if it considers it proper to do so for the purposes of assisting it to make such decision, or for the purposes of observing fair procedures—

(a) conduct an oral hearing, or

(b) give to the person a notice stating that the person may, not later than 30 days beginning on the date of the notice, or such further period not exceeding 30 days as the Commission allows, make a submission in writing to the Commission on the report prepared in accordance with*section 19*.

(5) Subject to*section 22F*, the Commission shall determine how an oral hearing under*subsection (4)(a)*is to be conducted.

(6) The Commission shall notify the person to whom the report relates of a decision under*subsection (3)*as soon as practicable after it is made, which notification shall—

(a) include the reasons for the decision,

(b) inform the person that—

(i) the person may, under*section 22D*, appeal the decision within 30 days beginning on the date of the notification,

(ii) the appeal shall specify the grounds for the appeal, and

(iii) the decision shall be suspended until, as the case may be—

(I) the decision becomes final under*subsection (7)*, or

(II) subject to*subsection (8)*, the disposal of the appeal under*section 22D*.

(7) If, on the expiration of the period of 30 days beginning on the date of the notification under*subsection (6)*, no appeal under*section 22D*has been made, the decision under*subsection (3)*shall be final.

(8) If, following an appeal of a decision under*subsection (3)*, the Circuit Court directs the Commission under*section 22D(5)(b)(ii)*to reconsider the decision, that decision shall be suspended until it has been reconsidered by the Commission.

(9) A decision of the Commission under*subsection (3)(b)(ii)*to impose a major sanction shall not take effect unless the decision is confirmed by the Circuit Court under*section 22D*or*22E*, as the case may be.

(10) A person shall not be the subject of both an administrative sanction and a criminal penalty under this Act for a contravention under*section 18(f)*.

(11) The Commission in conducting an oral hearing under this section may take evidence on oath, and the administration of such an oath by any member of the Commission is hereby authorised.

(12) An oral hearing under this section shall be conducted otherwise than in public unless the Commission, upon the application by or on behalf of the person under investigation, or of its own motion, determines that the proceedings (or part thereof) should be conducted in public.

(13) In this section—

"major sanction" means—

(a) a financial sanction of an amount not exceeding €25,000,

(b) a prohibition on the person from registering on the Register for a period of no more than 2 years,

(c) a prohibition on the person from making or having a return made under*section 12*in respect of that person for a period of no more than 2 years, or

(d) any combination of any of the sanctions specified in*paragraphs (a)*to*(c)*;

"minor sanction" means—

(a) advice,

(b) a reprimand,

(d) any combination of any of the sanctions specified in*paragraphs (a)*to*(c)*.]

##### 22B. **F23[Matters to be considered in determining amount of financial sanction to be imposed**

**22B.**The Commission, in considering the amount of the financial sanction to be imposed under*section 22A*, shall take into account the circumstances of the contravention under*section 18(f)*or of*section 22(1)*and, without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing, may have regard to:

(a) the need to ensure that any sanction imposed—

(i) is appropriate and proportionate to the contravention concerned, and

(ii) if applicable, will act as a sufficient incentive to ensure that any like contravention will not occur in the future;

(b) the gravity and duration of the contravention concerned;

(d) any excuse or explanation given by the person for the contravention concerned or failure to cooperate with the investigation concerned;

(e) the repeated occurrence of the contravention concerned by the person;

(f) if applicable, the continuation of the contravention concerned after the person was notified of the investigation concerned;

(g) if applicable, the extent and timeliness of any steps taken to end the improper conduct and any steps taken to remedy the consequences of the contravention concerned;

(h) any precedents set by a court or the Commission in respect of a previous like contravention.]

##### 22C. **F24[Financial sanctions**

**22C.**(1) A person on whom a financial sanction is imposed under*section 22A*shall pay the amount concerned by the date stated in the notification under*subsection (6)*, and subject to*subsections (8)*and*(9)*, of that section.

(2) The Commission may recover as a simple contract debt, in any court of competent jurisdiction, any amount due and owing to the Commission in respect of a financial sanction imposed under*section 22A*.

(3) All amounts received by the Commission under this section shall be paid into or disposed of for the benefit of the Exchequer as the Minister directs.]

##### 22D. **F25[Appeal to Circuit Court**

**22D.**(1) A person the subject of a decision under*section 22A(3)(b)(i)*or*(ii)*may, not later than 30 days beginning on the date of the notification of the decision under*section 22A(6)*, appeal to the Court against the decision by notice in writing specifying the grounds of appeal.

(2) The Court shall dismiss an appeal if it is of the opinion that the appeal is vexatious, frivolous, an abuse of process or without substance or foundation.

(3) The Court may, on the hearing of an appeal under*subsection (1)*, consider whether—

(a) the Commission in making its decision committed a serious or significant error of law or fact, or a series of minor errors of law or fact which when taken together amount to a serious or significant error,

(b) the Commission complied with fair procedures in making its decision, and

(4) In considering an appeal, the Court—

(a) shall have regard to the record of the decision the subject of the appeal, and

(b) may, where it considers it necessary or expedient for the fair and proper determination of the appeal, have regard to any submissions, documents, or evidence adduced by a party to an appeal whether or not already adduced or contained in the record of the decision as the Court considers appropriate.

(5) The Court may, on the hearing of an appeal under*subsection (1)*—

(a) confirm the decision the subject of the appeal, or

(b) where it is satisfied by reference to the grounds of appeal that a serious or significant error of law or fact, or a series of minor errors of law or fact which when taken together amount to a serious or significant error, was made in making the decision the subject of the appeal, or that the decision was made without complying with fair procedures—

(i) annul the decision and substitute such other decision as the Court considers appropriate, or

(ii) remit the matter to the Commission for reconsideration and the making of a new decision, with or without direction as the Court considers appropriate.

(6) A person shall, when making an appeal under this section, comply with the requirements of this section and any applicable rules of court made thereunder, and where a person does not so comply, the appeal shall be invalid and shall not be considered.

(7) A decision of the Court under this section shall be final save that, by leave of that Court, an appeal shall lie from the decision to the High Court on a point of law and such appeal shall be brought no later than 21 days after the Court’s decision.

(8) In this section, "Court" means the Circuit Court.]

**22E.**(1) Where a person does not appeal against a decision by the Commission to impose a major sanction under*section 22A(3)(b)(ii)*to the Court within the period specified in*section 22A(6)*, the Commission shall, as soon as practicable after the expiration of that period, by motion on notice to the person concerned, make an application in a summary manner to the Court for confirmation of a decision to impose a major sanction.

(2) The Court may, on the hearing of an application under*subsection (1)*—

(a) confirm the decision the subject of the application, or

(b) where it is satisfied on the basis of the evidence before it that there is a manifest and fundamental error of law that undermines the basis for the decision—

(i) annul the decision and substitute such other decision as the Court considers appropriate, or

(ii) remit the matter to the Commission for reconsideration and the making of a new decision, with or without directions as the Court considers appropriate.

(3) The Commission shall, prior to making an application under*subsection (1)*, by notice to the person concerned, seek the consent in writing of that person to the imposition of the major sanction referred to in*subsection (1)*.

(4) Where the person concerned consents to the imposition of the major sanction concerned in accordance with a notice under*subsection (3)*, an application by the Commission under*subsection (1)*may be made ex parte.

(5) Where the person concerned consents to the imposition of the major sanction concerned in accordance with*subsection (3)*, the sanction shall take effect when the decision of the Commission has been confirmed by the Court in accordance with this section.

(6) If the Court confirms the decision under*subsection (2)(a)*or substitutes the decision under*subsection (2)(b)(i)*, the decision of the Court shall be substituted for the decision the subject of the application.

(7) The Commission shall, as soon as practicable, give notice to the person concerned of the decision of the Court, the date on which it was made and the date from which that decision shall take effect.

(8) In this section, "Court" means the Circuit Court.]

**22F.**(1) Subject to*subsection (3)*, the Commission shall publish and from time to time revise, in such form and manner as the Commission considers appropriate, a code—

(a) for authorised officers and the Commission for the conduct of investigations under*section 19*, and

(b) for the Commission for the conduct of proceedings before the Commission under*sections 22A*to*22E*.

(2) An authorised officer or a member of the Commission, as the case may be, shall have regard to a code published under*subsection (1)(a)*or*(b)*, as the case may be, in the performance of his or her functions as they relate to investigations or proceedings, as appropriate.

(3) The Commission may, where it considers it appropriate, make regulations providing for the conduct of investigations under*section 19*and proceedings before the Commission under*sections 22A*to*22E*, having regard to the need for fairness in the conduct of such investigations and proceedings, in particular the need to address conflicts of interest which may arise in investigations or proceedings.]

**22G.**(1) A notice that is required to be given to a person by the Commission under any of*sections 22*to*22E*shall be in writing and addressed to the person by name and, where the Commission has been provided with the person’s email address, may be given to the person by electronic means to that email address, provided that a record that the email has been sent to the person is made for the sender by the email system used.

(2) Where for any reason it is not possible to effect the giving of a notice by electronic means or the Commission considers it otherwise appropriate to do so, the notice may be given by sending it by registered post to—

(a) in the case of an individual—

(i) the address at which the individual ordinarily resides, or

(ii) any other address provided by the individual for the purposes of this section,

(b) in the case of a company, its registered office, or

(3) In this section, "notice" includes notification or any document.]

##### 23. **Appeals**

**23.**(1) A person aggrieved by a decision of the Commission under *section 10(5)*, *14* or *22* may appeal against the decision by giving notice to the Commission.

**23.**(1) A person aggrieved by a decision of the Commission under *section 10(5)*, *14* or *F29[22(5)]* may appeal against the decision by giving notice to the Commission.

(2) Notice of an appeal shall—

@@ -706,13 +960,37 @@

(d) any convictions for offences under *section 20* in that year, and

(e) any fixed payment notices served under *section 21* in that year.

(d) any convictions for offences under *section 20* F30[in that year,]

(e) any fixed payment notices served under *section 21* F30[in that year,]

F31[(f) any decisions made, or sanctions imposed, by the Commission under*section 22A*in that year,

(g) any appeals taken under*section 22D*in that year, and

(h) any applications for confirmation of a decision to impose a major sanction made under*section 22E*in that year.]

F31[(3) Any information referred to in*paragraph (f)*,*(g)*or*(h)*of*subsection (2)*shall not be included in the report referred to in*subsection (1)*—

(a) in a case where a decision has been made to impose a major sanction—

(i) where an appeal has been brought, until the decision the subject of the appeal is confirmed by the Court under*section 22D*, or

(ii) where no appeal has been brought, until the decision is confirmed by the Court under*section 22E*,

and

(b) in a case where a decision has been made to impose a minor sanction—

(i) where an appeal has been brought, until the decision the subject of the appeal is confirmed by the Court under*section 22D*, or

(ii) where the period for bringing an appeal has expired and no appeal has been brought, until the expiry of that period.]

##### 26. **Delegation of functions by Commission**

**26.** Such functions of the Commission under this Act as may be specified by the Commission may be performed, under the supervision and subject to the general direction of the Commission, by members of the staff of the Commission duly authorised in that behalf by the Commission.

**26.** F32[(1)] Such functions of the Commission under this Act as may be specified by the Commission F32[, other than functions under this section and*sections 22A*(other than*subsection (6)*) and*22B*,] may be performed, under the supervision and subject to the general direction of the Commission, by members of the staff of the Commission duly authorised in that behalf by the Commission.

F32[(2) For the purposes of the performance of some or all of its functions under this Act, the functions of the Commission may, unless otherwise stated, be performed by a division of the Commission consisting of such uneven number of Commissioners, not being less than 3, as the Commission may determine.]

##### 27. **Amendments relating to Commission**

@@ -734,48 +1012,3 @@

“(e) the disclosure of information for inclusion in the Register of Lobbying in a report under *section 25* of the *Regulation of Lobbying Act 2015*.”.

## **SCHEDULE** Bodies that are not Public Service Bodies

*Section 7*

1. Any body corporate established by Act of Parliament before 6 December 1922 that, upon its establishment, was of a commercial character.

2. Bord na gCon.

3. Bord na Móna Plc.

4. Córas Iompair Éireann.

5. Coillte Teoranta (being a company formed and registered under the Companies Actsas provided for by section 9 of the Forestry Act 1988).

6. Cork Airport Authority, public limited company.

7. daa, public limited company.

8. EirGrid Plc.

9. Electricity Supply Board.

10. Ervia.

11. A harbour authority within the meaning of the Harbours Acts 1946 to 2005.

12. Horse Racing Ireland.

13. Irish National Stud Company Limited.

14. Irish Aviation Authority.

15. An Post.

16. Raidió Teilifís Éireann.

17. Shannon Airport Authority, public limited company.

18. Teilifís na Gaeilge.

19. Railway Procurement Agency.

20. Voluntary Health Insurance Board.

21. A subsidiary of a body to which this Schedule relates, including a subsidiary of such a subsidiary.

2014-11-19

Regulation of Lobbying Act 2015

original version Text at this date