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The lobbyist with ‘balls of iron and a spine of steel’: why Ireland needs lobbying reform
Author(s) -
McGrath Conor
Publication year - 2009
Publication title -
journal of public affairs
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.221
H-Index - 20
eISSN - 1479-1854
pISSN - 1472-3891
DOI - 10.1002/pa.332
Subject(s) - compromise , politics , statutory law , language change , context (archaeology) , political science , subject (documents) , regulatory reform , political economy , public administration , economics , law , law and economics , art , paleontology , literature , biology , library science , computer science
In common with most other nations, Ireland currently has no statutory regulation of lobbying activities. Equally, and also in common with many countries, lobbying regulation is becoming a more prominent subject of political debate. This paper considers the pervasive context of political corruption and scandal highlighted by one lobbyist now in jail, analyses various suggestions for lobbying regulation which have been proposed, and concludes with a potential reform agenda. The opportunity exists for Ireland to take a lead in producing a comprehensive and meaningful regulatory regime—genuine and principled reform, rather than a muddled compromise. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.