Designated Public Officials

The Regulation of Lobbying Act 2015 which came into effect on 1 September 2015 provides that the Standards in Public Office Commission will establish and maintain an online Register of lobbying activity.

The purpose of the Register 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. Lobbyists must report on their interactions with the Designated Public Officials.

Section 6(4) of the Act requires each public body to publish a list of designated public officials of the body.

The purpose of the list is twofold:

1. To allow members of the public identify those persons who are designated public officials; and

2. As a resource for lobbyists filing a return to the Register who may need to source a designated public official’s details.

The Designated Public Officials of the Department under this legislation are:

Catherine Martin TD, Minister for Media, Tourism, Arts, Culture, Sport and the Gaeltacht Ministers.Office@tcagsm.gov.ie

Thomas Byrne TD, Minister of State with responsibility for the Gaeltacht, Sport and Physical Education

Mr Juno McEnroe, Special Adviser to the Minister – Minister's Press Adviser

Ms Meghan McSweeney, Special Adviser to the Minister – Adviser on policy matters

Mr Daniel Griffin, Special Adviser to Minister of State Byrne

Feargal Ó Coigligh, Secretary General Feargal.OCoigligh@tcagsm.gov.ie

Conor Falvey, Assistant Secretary with responsibility for Arts, Culture, Film & Music Conor.Falvey@tcagsm.gov.ie

Cian Ó Lionáin, Assistant Secretary with responsibility for the Tourism and Sport Divisions Cian.OLionain@tcagsm.gov.ie

Aodhán Mac Cormaic, Assistant Secretary, Gaeltacht and Irish Language Aodhan.MacCormaic@tcagsm.gov.ie

Tríona Quill, Assistant Secretary with responsibility for Broadcasting and Media Division Triona.Quill@tcagsm.gov.ie

Joe Healy, Assistant Secretary General with responsibility for the Corporate Affairs Division Joe.Healy@tcagsm.gov.ie

Tania Banotti, Director Creative Ireland Programme Tania.Banotti@tcagsm.gov.ie

Section 5(5)(n) of the Regulation of Lobbying Act 2015 provides that communications between members of certain types of working groups, task forces, advisory groups or committees established by a Minister or public service body may be exempt communications (and thus not regarded as lobbying activities), provided they meet the definition of a ‘relevant body’ provided for in section 5(6) of the Act.

In line with Act, the following groups are ‘relevant bodies’ under the remit of this Department adhering to the guidelines set out in the Transparency Code.

Further details on the Transparency Code can be found here.

Culture Ireland Expert Advisory Committee

Irish Language Services Advisory Committee

Sustainable Tourism Working Group Report