Register of lobbyists to form part of Labour reform plan

A REGISTER of political lobbyists and an increase in the number of sitting days at Leinster House are among measures to reform…

A REGISTER of political lobbyists and an increase in the number of sitting days at Leinster House are among measures to reform governance being proposed by the Labour Party.

Labour’s spokesman on justice Pat Rabbitte last night told the Dáil the Opposition should formulate a programme of reform ahead of the next general election. The party’s private members’ business in the Dáil this week dealt with the issue of political reform.

“When the people eventually get the opportunity to speak, the alternative government must have ready for implementation a programme of reform that puts beyond doubt our determination to change the way we govern,” Mr Rabbitte said.

Brendan Howlin, Labour’s spokesman on constitutional matters and law reform, this week outlined the party’s proposals, which include a register of lobbyists along with clear rules for lobbying, “so that those who peddle influence do it in a way that is understood and open”.

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Mr Howlin also called for an extension of spending limits for local and presidential elections. An increase in the number of sitting days in Leinster House, with a set day every week for private members’ legislation, is also proposed.

The proposals also include an extension of the Freedom of Information Act to include additional public bodies. Mr Howlin said the 1997 Act had been “rowed back by the Fianna Fáil administrations” and should be restored to its original stature. The enactment of whistleblowers legislation is proposed. Labour has called for Cabinet confidentiality not to be used as a “buffer to protect [against] proper inquiry and investigations”. A new role for the Ceann Comhairle is also proposed whereby the office holder could demand a minister to answer a Dáil question.

Meanwhile, the Minister of State for overseas development Peter Power has said Fine Gael presents a “credible position” for Government and has a “number of very credible policies”.

While he criticised the policies of Sinn Féin and Labour, Mr Power told students at UCD last night he believed the main Opposition party was the only party, other than Fianna Fáil, that was a “credible” candidate for Government.

He was joined at a Literary and Historical Society debate on whether there should be a general election by Opposition politicians including Leo Varadkar (FG), Senator Alex White (Lab) and Senator John Paul Phelan (FG).