-Select few want to cut a deal allowing registration to be voluntary

Green Party MEP candidate for Dublin Senator Deirdre de Burca has called for immediate EU action on the mandatory registration of lobbyists, saying a select few in the European Parliament wish to cut a deal to avoid mandatory registering.

Senator de Burca said: “The ‘Inter-institutional/High-Level Working Party’ was formed in 2008 to work towards a joint code of conduct and register for EU lobbyists – a full seven months after the European Parliament adopted a resolution on the lobby transparency register.

“This week, the group met and released a statement, but despite numerous requests for information, the content of the Group’s discussions remain a mystery to those outside. The three big European Parliamentary Groups, whose members include Fianna Fail, Fine Gael and the Labour Party met in closed session with Commissioner Kallas and attempted to undermine an essential initiative to restore public confidence in European democracy.

“The European Parliament insists on making the registration of lobbyists (persons and organisations who are paid to influence lawmaking) mandatory. The select few want to cut a deal allowing such registration to be voluntary.

“I and the European Green Party find this to be utterly unacceptable. More than a year ago the Parliament voted clearly in favour of a mandatory register with disclosure of the names of individual lobbyists. It also demanded a strong monitoring and sanction mechanism.

“The recent agreement reached by the high level group reflects the view of a select few who are not interested in advancing the transparency agenda. This lack of courage is damaging the reputation of the European Parliament. I am adding my voice to those of my European Green colleagues who are insisting that President Pöttering must take the responsibility to ensure that Parliament’s views are not compromised.”

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Press Release by Deirdre