Vol. 395 No. 5
14 Mr. Gilmore asked the Minister for Finance if his attention has been drawn to the existence of registers of commerical interests for members of many other national parliaments; if he will consider introducing legislation to establish a similar register here; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
My attention has been drawn to the existence of registers of commercial interests for members of other national parliaments. However, I have no plans to introduce legislation to establish a similar register for Members of the Houses of the Oireachtas.
Would the Minister not accept, in view of his statement that he has no plans to introduce legislation to have such a register, that this Parliament is now seriously out of line with the parliaments of other countries where there are such registers and that it is in the public interest that there should be such a register to inform the public about the extent of financial, property or business interests of Members of this House in view of the fact that the House regularly considers measures which may bring gain to Members of the House itself?
I have no information on the registration of commercial interests in countries other than Great Britain. This question was looked at on different occasions in the past and can easily be dealt with and can be seen to be a matter for House rules and House procedures rather than for legislation.
Let me draw the Minister's attention to the fact that there is legislation which requires members of local authorities to register their property. interests within their local authority area and that it is inconsistent that there should not be a register for Members of this House to declare their financial, business, property and other interests so that the public may see clearly what the interests of the Members of the House are. That would protect Members of the House against the kind of statement the Minister himself made in relation to Deputy Quinn just a short time ago.
I repeat for the Deputy's information that a non-statutory scheme exists in Westminster and that is the one mostly referred to in this country. I repeat that this question has been examined in detail and in depth on various occasions in the past. It appears to have certain constitutional implications. I have said it can be dealt with under the rules of the House and may be that is the way it should proceed.
Question No. 15.
I have another brief supplementary.
Sorry, I have given the Deputy quite some latitude. A very brief supplementary, please.
When was the matter last considered by the Government?
It has not been considered by the present Government. It was considered by previous Governments on a few occasions. I have not got the exact details here.
