Access

This paper will examine the issue of access in Irish lobbying. Addressing the current situation, the paper outlines why access is important to lobbyists, who currently has it and the various layers and levels that exist in our system. Examining the issue, the paper argues that this currently leads to a perception of lobbying being an insiders' occupation. If lobbying in Ireland is to become accountable, transparent and open, then lobbying activities must be clearly defined, and those who sign up to this must gain from it, and there can be no benefit for those who do not declare lobbying activities. The paper argues that lobbying in the long term should become an accepted and trained profession. Lobbying should therefore move away from being a profession populated by those ‘in the know’ or from a political background and become open to anybody who can qualify and meet the desired ethics and standards. For this to happen, a level playing field must be introduced where lobbyists are not reliant on particular politicians or parties or contacts to make a case. Similar to journalists, lobbyists must be integrated into the political system where they can be monitored and observed and where there is a real and tangible price to be paid for breach of a code. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd

Business · Computer security · Insider · Internet privacy · Irish · Key (lock · Law and economics · Level playing field · Political science · Politics · Public relations · Secrecy · Sign (mathematics · Sociology · Transparency (behavior · Computer Science · Law · Political Influence and Corporate Strategies · Public Policy and Administration Research · Public Procurement and Policy

• Balancing the freedom to criticise government policy with regulating lobbying

  Open Access•Jennifer Kavanagh•Interest Groups & Advocacy•2024

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