Disclosures and Lobbying
Aligned to Our Values, we strives to operate in a manner that demonstrates our integrity, always complying with the laws and regulations of Ireland and other countries where we operate. In ESB we are committed to conducting our activities in an open and transparent manner.
Transparency Arrangements in Ireland
Lobbying activities in Ireland are governed by the Regulation of Lobbying Act, 2015 (“the Act”). As a commercial semi-state company, we regularly communicate with legislators and other public officials on matters impacting our business. To the extent that ESB engages in any lobbying activities requiring disclosure under the Act, such activities are conducted in a transparent manner and in compliance with the requirements of the Act. We are registered with the Standards in Public Office Commission (SIPO) and details of our lobbying activities are publicly available through SIPOs lobbying register.
ESB’s Policy on Lobbying and Political Engagement
Lobbying and political engagement are essential parts of the democratic process and integral to ESB’s broader stakeholder engagement. As an active participant in energy markets, ESB engages both directly and indirectly – through Membership Organisations – with regulators, legislators, and other stakeholders across all the markets in which we operate.
This enables stakeholders to better understand ESB’s position on matters that are important for the energy sector, our customers, the communities we serve and our Net Zero by 2040 strategy.
ESB carries out this work in the context of our Group Policy on Lobbying and Political Engagement, in which ESB commits to follow the principles of the Responsible Lobbying Framework.
Transparency and the EU
At EU level, there are separate transparency obligations. These require an organisation to register on the EU’s Transparency Register if it seeks to influence the formulation or implementation of policy and decision-making processes of the EU institutions and carries out any of the relevant activities. ESB has registered on the EU Transparency Register and discloses annually what interests are being pursued, by whom and with what budgets.