John Bruton
Question:6 Mr. J. Bruton asked the Taoiseach if he will introduce guidelines to govern the acceptance by Ministers, of gifts while on trips overseas.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Gifts to Office Holders.
The Programme for a Partnership Government undertakes to incorporate into the Ethics in Government Bill, which is in the course of preparation, the Government Procedure Instructions as they relate to the registration of gifts to office holders.
Is there any truth in the report that appeared in The Irish Times to the effect that the Taoiseach while in the United States, at the taxpayers' expense, accepted on behalf of the Fianna Fáil Party a gift of $2,500 in return for a private interview with each of a dozen business people before a dinner in the Waldorf Astoria Hotel in New York?
There is no truth in the rumour reported in the media or otherwise that I had private interviews for which I charged $2,500. The Deputy is naive even to suggest such a thing.
Is the Taoiseach aware that a report to that effect appeared in The Irish Times of 24 April 1993?
I have no comment to make on any reports that appear in the newspapers.
Sue them.
In case Members are under any illusion, let me put it on record again — do not write lies about me and you will not have any problems.
I know a good solicitor.
Officially or unofficially?
We will leave it to another forum to adjudicate on what is official and what is not.
Who is a law officer and who is not?
There is an old saying, "when you are in a hole, stop digging."