Data analysis reveals 63 former Irish public servants engaged in post-government lobbying

An analysis of more than 83,000 returns filed on Ireland’s lobbying register since 2020 shows that at least 63 former politicians and senior civil servants have repeatedly contacted state institutions and former colleagues on behalf of private clients.

The findings highlight the extent of Ireland's revolving-door practice, in which former public officials transition into private sector advisory and lobbying roles. Although current ethics legislation requires a mandatory cooling-off period before former public servants can lobby government bodies, registry filings confirm frequent direct communications with current decision-makers. In response to the data, governance advocates have called for stricter enforcement of existing laws and longer post-employment restrictions to improve transparency in public policy.

Sources: The Journal.