Bernard J. Durkan
Question:38 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Finance his views on the standing for public office in the forthcoming urban elections of such persons as Ministers' personal assistants, advisers, programme managers and other such officers; his views on whether a conflict of interest might arise in the event of such persons having direct access to ministerial information and at the same time seeking election to public office; whether this procedure is in any way at variance with the proposals in the Ethics in Public Office Bill; and if he will make a statement on the matter.