The Cabinet will today approve new penalties for former ministers, special advisers, and top civil servants who do not comply with a one-year cooling-off period for lobbying. Former politicians retain lifetime access to Leinster House — an invaluable asset to have in the lobbying game. Further amendments will extend the act’s scope to include non-remunerated office-holders to capture all relevant lobbying activity, the Cabinet memorandum states. Separately, higher education Minister Simon Harris will seek Government approval for 4,600 additional college places this upcoming semester. There will be a significant increase in the number of places in media studies, additional places in veterinary, and increased numbers in business.

Source: Irish Examiner July 13, 2021 05:26 UTC