The Regulation of Lobbying Act 2015
The purpose of the Regulation of Lobbying Act 2015 is to detail that the Standards in Public Office Commission (The Standards Commission) will establish and maintain an online Register of Lobbying activity – www.lobbying.ie. The purpose of it is to make information available to the public on the identity of those communicating with designated public officials on specific policy, legislative matters or prospective decisions. The Standards Commission has a role under the legislation to issue guidance and information and to provide an understanding of the legislation. The Standards Commission, in co-operation with the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform, has published guidance on the Regulation of Lobbying Act for Designated Public Officials.
Designated Officers
In accordance with the Act the names, grades and brief details of the roles and responsibilities of the ‘Designated Public Officials’ within the Office of the Comptroller and Auditor General are detailed below.
Colette Drinan – Secretary and Director of Audit
Colette is the Accounting Officer for the Office of the Comptroller and Auditor General and is accountable to Dáil Éireann and the Comptroller and Auditor General for the general administration of the Office including finance and budgeting, human resources, ICT, learning and development and facilities, corporate strategy, corporate reporting and partnership. In addition, she directs the performance audit programme, as well as financial audits of a number of State bodies.
Andrew Harkness – Director of Audit
Andrew is responsible for financial audits in the semi state, health and education sectors and for audit and reporting in Revenue and Social Protection.
