asked the Taoiseach if any member of the Government at present holds a position or retains a connection with any private company which could interfere or be incompatible with the proper discharge of his duties.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Discharge of Ministerial Duties.
1.
The answer is in the negative.
Does that include the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries?
All Ministers.
I was in the Companies Registration Office the week before last and as far as I am aware the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries is still a director of the company that intends to establish an oil refinery in Bantry Bay and this does not seem to me to be compatible with his responsibility to this House for conservation matters.
The position is that the Government have taken the same decision as was originally taken on the change of Government in June, 1954, which was subsequently reaffirmed on the change of Government in 1957. The Government have again reaffirmed that decision and it applies to all Ministers and all Ministers have complied with it.
Is there any way we can establish this in the Companies Registration Office?
That is a separate matter but the fact is all Ministers have complied with the decision.
I must accept that but I have no evidence of it.
I think the Deputy must accept what has been established practice: that this decision which has now been taken on three occasions and is in identical terms is being complied with in this case by all Members of the Government.
I hope so.