Councillors back call to review state funding of lobbying NGOs

Westmeath councillors have backed a call for the government to review the use of public funds by NGOs engaged in political lobbying or campaigning against legislation.

The motion, brought by Cllr Andrew Duncan, also called for greater transparency around the sources of funding received by organisations seeking to influence public policy, including foreign funding.

Cllr Duncan said his primary responsibility as an elected representative was to the people of Mullingar and surrounding areas, rather than to his political party.

He said many people who worked and paid taxes were struggling to afford mortgages or rent, while taxpayer funding was being provided to organisations which, he claimed, subsequently challenged government departments, local authorities and planning bodies through the courts.

“The working taxpayer is forced to pay twice,” he said, arguing that taxpayers first funded organisations through state grants and could then be required to fund legal teams defending state-approved planning and infrastructure decisions in court.

“If an organisation wants to challenge the state, or oppose legislation, that is its right, that is everybody’s right, but it should not get state funds to do it,” Cllr Duncan said.

He called for an immediate review of where public money was being allocated and for rules to ensure that public funds could not be used for political lobbying or campaigning against decisions made by elected representatives. Cllr Duncan also raised concerns about organisations receiving outside or “seed” funding before subsequently applying for state funding.

“Party loyalty cannot mean staying silent when public funds are used to undermine the democratic mandate given to us by voters,” he said.

He pointed to the UK as an example of a jurisdiction where, he said, organisations could not receive state funding to lobby against government legislation.

Cllr Duncan’s motion specifically sought strengthened transparency and disclosure requirements concerning the sources of funding of organisations seeking to influence public policy.

Ireland already has a statutory Register of Lobbying, operated by the Standards in Public Office Commission (SIPO), which is intended to provide information on who is lobbying, on whose behalf, the issues involved, the intended result and who is being lobbied.

Members of local authorities are among those classed as designated public officials under the Regulation of Lobbying Act 2015.

Separate rules also apply to organisations which qualify as “third parties” for political purposes under electoral legislation, including registration and disclosure requirements relating to political donations.

Cllr Duncan’s motion seeks additional restrictions specifically concerning the use of state funding for lobbying or campaigning against legislation, as well as greater disclosure of funding sources.

Cllr Mick Dollard supported the motion.