A lobby register is a tool designed to record interactions between government officials and individuals or organizations attempting to influence policy. While seemingly straightforward, its implementation raises complex questions about who qualifies as an “interest representative” and which government actors should be included.

A lobby register aims to provide transparency into the lobbying activities influencing policy decisions. The register typically includes details about the organizations involved, the lobbyists representing them, the subjects discussed, and the financial aspects of the lobbying efforts.

While ministers already maintain public agendas, their effectiveness is questionable. The Open State Foundation found that the current cabinet’s agendas are incomplete. A lobby register addresses this by capturing more comprehensive data about lobbying activities.

Several countries, including Ireland, France, and Germany, along with the European Union, have functioning lobby registers. These registers commonly document the organization’s objectives, lobbyist names, budget, funding sources, and relevant topics in addition to meetings with government officials. These existing models demonstrate the feasibility and potential benefits of implementing a lobby register.

The city of Rotterdam recently introduced a lobby register that includes not only appointments of the mayor and aldermen but also those of high-ranking civil servants. This expansion of scope indicates a growing recognition of the importance of tracking lobbying efforts at various levels of government.

Despite its potential benefits, a lobby register is not a complete solution. Informal lobbying through personal networks and other channels would remain unrecorded. Therefore, it should be considered one element within a broader framework of control mechanisms aimed at ensuring transparency and accountability in policy-making.

The question of whether to extend the register to members of the House of Representatives has also been raised. This highlights the ongoing debate and the need for continued efforts to strengthen safeguards against undue influence on policy decisions.