Public Relations Institute of Ireland (PRII)

Lobbying Organisation Public Relations Institute of Ireland (PRII)

Date published 21 Dec, 2016

Relevant Matter Legislation

Public Policy Area Trade

Period 1 Sep, 2016 to 31 Dec, 2016

Specific Details The Unfair Commercial Practices Directive 2005/29/EC and its Irish derivative legislation, the Consumer Protection Act 2007.

Intended results To secure confirmation from the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation and from the European Commission that these two pieces of related legislation apply to social media influencers, bloggers, etc. To ensure that any updating of the Unfair Commercial Practices Directive specifically takes account of online media, in particular social media influencers, bloggers, etc. and the need for the clear differentiation of editorial and advertising to be maintained across all media.

Name of person primarily responsible for lobbying on this activity John Carroll, CEO

Did any Designated Public Official(DPO) or former Designated Public Official(DPO) carry out lobbying activities on your behalf in relation to this return? You must include yourself, and answer Yes, if you are a current DPO or a DPO at any time in the past. (What is a Designated Public Official?) No

Did you manage or direct a grassroots campaign? No

Was this lobbying done on behalf of a client? No

Lobbying activity

The following activities occurred for this specific Subject Matter Area.

Email (6-10)

Communication with Deputy Noel Rock regarding the submission of a parliamentary question seeking clarity on the application of domestic Irish consumer protection legislation to social media influencers. Also, communications with Brian Crowley MEPs' office concerning the tabling of a question to the European Commission on the application of European consumer protection legislation to the same issue.

Meeting (1)

Mentioned to Minister Donohoe at the end of a meeting concerning the Regulation of Lobbying Act.

Designated public officials lobbied

The following DPOs were lobbied during this return period on this specific Subject Matter Area. These DPOs were involved in at least one of the Lobbying Activities listed above, but not necessarily all of them. As returns are specific to a Subject Matter Area the above Lobbying Activities may be associated with multiple returns.

Noel Rock TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Brian Crowley MEP (European Parliament)

Paschal Donohoe Minister (Department of Public Expenditure and Reform)

Stephen Lynam Special Adviser (Department of Public Expenditure and Reform)