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FINE GAEL CANDIDATE Noel Rock did not say if he would recuse himself from topics that he previously lobbied politicians on when he held a senior position in a consulting company, when asked by The Journal today.
Though he promised to be transparent with the public if elected, the Dublin North-West candidate said it would not be appropriate to reveal what sectors and industries he represented while he was the Director of Public Affairs at Red Flag consultants.
Red Flag purchased his start-up lobbying firm in 2022 and the former TD, who is seeking to win back his seat in the constituency he was unsuccessful in after the 2020 general election, was soon appointed to a senior role.
Asked by The Journal if he would recuse himself from topics that he has previously lobbied on, Rock said: “Anyone can look at the lobbying register and see where I’ve lobbied in the past. The public can make their own mind up if there are any conflicts.
“But certainly I intend to operate in a transparent way.”
A search of the lobbying register finds Rock lobbied government ministers, TDs, MEPs and Senators on the recent Gambling Regulation Act, twice.
On both occasions, once in 2022 and another this year, Rock was representing casino chain Dr Quirkey’s.
In 2022, as the bill was before the Dáil and at committee stage, Rock highlighted “the importance” of regulating the sector to TDs and Senators.
He held a second meeting earlier this year with senators, as the legislation was due to be voted on in the Seanad, to discuss “unintended consequences” of the regulations.
Rock also met with Fine Gael’s junior health minister Hildegarde Naughton and junior agriculture minister Martin Heydon on behalf of the Kerry Group to discuss changes in EU laws on food flavouring at the beginning of this year.
He told The Journal that he believes transparency in the lobbying sector is important but did not feel he was in a position to name the companies he representing, adding that he wanted to “respect their privacy”.
Rock was joined by public expenditure minister Paschal Donohoe in Dublin today, where the pair canvassed Griffith Avenue – the road acting as a border between the two candidates’ constituencies.
After losing his Dáil bid in the last election, Rock began a small lobbying firm, Pixel Strategic Consulting, which was later sold to Red Flag. The group, when representing tobacco company PJ Carroll, once met with Rock as a TD in 2018 to discuss e-cigarettes.
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Ah yes. A lobbyist for gambling and tobacco companies should be clean as a whistle. They’re well known for their exemplary ethical code.
Red Flag indeed.
@Louis Jacob: Yes his confronted the push to have vapes given a green flag His top priority is to ensure the creation of a Department of Infrastructure to focus on the big projects that Dublin desperately needs, including MetroLink and the extension of the Luas to Finglas which he advocated for as a TD
@Louis Jacob: a truly wonderful man
@Mike M Doe: Your ‘Frank’ and ‘Joe’ profiles below don’t seem very keen.
@Brendan O’Brien: ill smash down your door
@Basildon Joe: How did this comment make it up, a disgusting threat
@Brian D’Arcy: The comment has to be reported.
@Clare Power: the journal don’t give a $hite. The place has descended into a farce.
This guy is a fully paid-up member of the Golden Circle, should be approached with caution!
@Brian Hunt: He has literally been operating in a circular motion between holding office and lobbying.
@Brian Hunt: At least he is not one of the “Wreck the economy circle”
@thomas molloy: It’s amazing that the crowd you’re talking about have never once wrecked the economy, but the “jobs for the boys” crowd you advocate for, have done it repeatedly over 100 years, with the help of uncontrolled corruption..
The proof of the pudding is in the eating brother.
@Louis Jacob: True. Ireland has landed up being a country with one of the highest quality of life standards in the world.
@thomas molloy: Ireland is a place where rich American companies stash their profits and vulture funds are non tax paying land lords. That’s all about to come to an end. Let’s see where we are then.
@thomas molloy: highest quality of life?? With 14,000 homeless, thousands more unable to rent or purchase a home, disabled kids ignored and denied life changing surgery, our future educated younger generation forced to emigrate, thousands on hospital waiting list and prospect of a trolly on a corridor if lucky enough to be admitted. Billions in dept due to bailing out private gamblers. All curtsy of FFGL governments.
@thomas molloy: It’s no thanks to FFG, they’ve been ruling Ireland for one hundred years, and before the EU, all we got was poverty, unemployment and emigration!
@thomas molloy: 29th in the world
@sean weir: and only superficially so
@Louis Jacob:
Here at home our OAPS pay 40% tax on income over €18000 apx €350pw.
No tax dodging loopholes for us
@Louis Jacob: skearon was thrown out of fianna fail, which takes some doing, because of some disgusting views he expressed on line.
@thomas molloy: is he not fine Gael ? Fg FF tanked the economy, not just one of em
He ‘promises to be transparent with the public ‘ if elected…….. that’s good of him
The very existence of lobbying companies is a symptom of an undemocratic system.
FG working hard for the Michael o leary type 1%
@Kevin O Brien: Michael O’Leary is an honest businessman, who pays his full taxes here in Ireland. He has worked for his money and provides a lot of employment, unlike the FFG shower of shysters, only good at grift and brown envelopes!
Of course, it’s a conflict of interest. That question doesn’t even need to be asked.
This is pure filth and corruption. Making millions from peoples misery.
@Basildon Joe: Billions
@Basildon Joe: utter nonsense
@Mike M Doe: Arguing with yourself again?
@Louis Jacob: swanning around town his fckin rolls Royce makes me sick
@/Mike/Joe: Gosh, this is getting heated. I hope you’re not going to punch yourself in the face.
@Brendan O’Brien: alright Claire you mental slag troll. Do one brenda
@Basildon Joe: Impressive! You’re starting to get the ‘Essex’ lingo down.
Hope you don’t blow your cover completely, like the last time.
@Basildon Joe: why oh why actually engage with the multi account troll???… its getting paid€ per post….it knows I won’t engage/ fill it’s coffers
@Frank/Joe/Mike/Kevvy/Jim/Trump24: Why don’t you write a play? You already have a full cast of characters.
@Frank Mc Carthy: brenda is one lonely old girl. Trolling everything here, ruining good, honest debate between intelligent people
Any politician who becomes a lobbyist or Lobbyist who becomes a TD should have to first have a waiting time of a one general election before they can lobby or run for the Dail. In his case he could not run for the Dail but the next one. Stops the crossover!
@Gary Kearney: Lefties spend their entire careers lobbying for anti enterprise anti establishment pressure groups. The Dail would be 30% empty if left wing lobbyists were excluded.
So in the world of Óx no experience of anything is a plus. People who constantly complain and don’t like industry and employment think they are wonderful because they create hot air. Nuts.
@thomas molloy: Who doesn’t like industry & employment? Crazy thing to say. The problem here is blatant corruption. Lobbying = bribing government to put the interests of a minority (e.g. destructive companies) ahead of those of the public
@thomas molloy: That’s bollox and you know it.
The problem is, that’s halve the way of how it works in the US.
The US and more so, the government institutions, are almost fully corrupted by the industry.
It’s a revolving door at any major organisation (FDA, EPA, and others) for people working in the related industry, getting appointed as head of the organisation, going back to the same industry and so on.
That’s the reason why people working as lobbyist, or coming from a higher management level from the industry should absolutely NOT be in the Dail or become head of any major government organisation.
Commenters are here sometimes cheerleading for Michael O’leary to become whatever in the government. This would be an absolute disaster for the above mentioned reasons.
Like all FG an absolute legend :)
@Mike M Doe: Oooh look at the lovestruck virgin :) will the wrist will be getting a work out tonight Paulie ?
@Freda Peeple: All day everyday I’d say.
Another absolute disgrace that should not be running. Fine Gael already have a former tobacco lobbyist as their mayor and also John mcgahan has been (where he thinks he can get away with it) promoting his campaign including driving off when asked about his past behaviour. It’s too bad he didn’t work on his volatility before the assault…oh well!
have your say