asked the Taoiseach his Government's policy regarding Ministers and Ministers of State retaining membership of local authorities and subordinate bodies; and whether he has indicated to his office holders the activities he regards as compatible with ministerial office.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Ministerial Membership of Local Authorities.
2.
It has been a general principle for many years that Ministers and Ministers of State should, as soon as conveniently possible after appointment, resign from membership of any local authority or subordinate body to which they belong, unless only a short time remains of their term of office or other special considerations apply. I have drawn the attention of those concerned to this principle which will continue to be applied.
Ministers and Ministers of State have also been advised of the code of practice which applies to activities incompatible with ministerial office and told that in any case of doubt I should be consulted.
Does the Taoiseach accept that it is an unusual situation, to say the least, that two members of his Government continue to chair the two largest and busiest local authorities in the country? The Minister for Energy is chairman of Dublin County Council and the——
Wrong.
It shows the impact that has been made by members of the Government. The second person concerned is the Lord Mayor of Dublin, Deputy Bertie Ahern, who is Minister for Labour. Does the Taoiseach regard that as normal?
With regard to the first point made by my colleague from Dublin North Central I should like to point out that the Minister for Energy, Deputy Burke, resigned his position as chairman of Dublin County Council almost immediately on assuming office. Indeed, he had himself replaced by a very competent successor. The position with regard to the Lord Mayoralty is different and I hope the Deputy will appreciate that. Deputy Bertie Ahern is Lord Mayor of Dublin, a post which he is discharging with great confidence and dignity to the satisfaction of all concerned.
He is not in the House.
His term of office has not much longer to go. In fact, Dublin Corporation decided last night to bring forward the election of a new Lord Mayor to the earliest possible date. Furthermore, the Lord Mayor has withdrawn from most of the perquisites of his office but in deciding to remain as Lord Mayor Deputy Ahern has been influenced, as I have, by the fact that no Lord Mayor of Dublin city has ever resigned in the history of the mayoralty. I do not think it would be a great wish inside or outside the House that that precedent should be broken.
He is not here to do his business in this House.
Will the Taoiseach say whether a factor in making this decision is the likelihood that his term of office as Minister for Labour might be shorter than the term of office that remains to him as Lord Mayor?
Wishful thinking.