Lobbying of the EU institutions should be subject to full transparency

11.30.03am UTC (GMT +0000) Tue 1st Apr 2008

The European Parliament's Constitutional Affairs committee today voted on a report addressing the framework for the activities of interest group representation in the EU institutions. It will be Parliament's formal response to the Commission's Green Paper on a European Transparency Initiative.

Liberals and Democrats advocate maximum disclosure of lobbying activity as an essential element in regaining the trust and legitimacy amongst the public. There is widespread consensus on the merits of a common register with the other institutions - a one-stop-shop.

Liberals and Democrat MEPs on the committee have defended the idea that Parliamentary rapporteurs should compile a 'legislative footprint' of those who have lobbied them in the course of preparing their reports. Such a list could be introduced in the first place as an experiment prior to an evaluation of any principled or practical issues in implementation.

Diana Wallis MEP, who drafted the opinion for the Legal Affairs committee, commented:

"Lobbying has an important role in the policy process but there needs to be a more structured and vigorous framework as to disclosure than currently exists. I have my doubts as to the effectiveness of a voluntary registration system but it is a first step and, in any case, there will be a review of the register after a year. Financial disclosure is important but it is only part of the overall picture. As important are identifying who the lobbyists are and their roles in any given policy process."