asked the Taoiseach if he has satisfied himself that no member of his Cabinet has at present any directorship or interest in any industrial or business concern.
Ceisteanna — Questions. Oral Answers. - Directorships in Industrial Concerns.
I would refer the Deputy to the reply I gave in this House on the 19th July, 1951, to a question addressed by him to me on the same subject. In that reply I stated the general principle, the observance of which is what concerns the Dáil and the public in this matter, that no member of the Government should engage in any activities whatsoever that could reasonably be regarded as interfering, or being incompatible, with the full and proper discharge by him of the duties of his office. I have satisfied myself that that principle is being observed.
Has the Taoiseach any information concerning a member of the Government who attends meetings of the board of directors of a particular company with which he is associated and offers advice, assistance and guidance? While he is in receipt of no salary from the board he attends frequent meetings and offers advice and assistance similar to those which he would offer if he were a director.
I have no evidence of that. I have satisfied myself that no member of the Government is engaged in any occupation which would be inconsistent with his office.
The question I amsure the Taoiseach has appreciated, asks whether any member of the Government holds any directorship in any company. Would the Taoiseach reply to that question?
I have replied to it in the proper sense. There have been members who held directorships with companies from which they got indefinite leave of absence. There were a number of directors of that sort.
Can the Taoiseach say whether members of the Government who held directorships in various industrial concerns tendered their resignations to their respective companies?
I have answered everything that was material to the question and I do not propose to say anything further.
May I inquire is this a new principle? I know when we formed our Government we were told that any directorships we held must forthwith be resigned and that was done. I understood that that was an inflexible rule from which there could be no departure. It was so strictly observed that even those who held directorships in private companies resigned them. I think perhaps that that was a supererogation but I should like to ask the Taoiseach is there a new principle now introduced that a Minister of this State is entitled to retain on any basis a directorship of a commercial company operating here or elsewhere and, if there is, is this a new principle?
There is no new principle. The principle is the same as that which was enunciated by my predecessor — the self-same principle, and it is being observed in the same spirit.