Jim Mitchell
Ceist:3 Mr. J. Mitchell asked the Taoiseach the arrangements, if any, which have been made and the steps taken since the formation of the present Government to ensure that Ministers avoid conflict of interests.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Ministerial Conflict of Interests.
Ministers are informed on taking office of the general principle that they should not engage in any activities that could reasonably be regarded as interfering or being incompatible with the duties of their offices. Ministers are required to draw the attention of the Government to any matter before Government in which they or their family have a material interest, and not to participate in decision making in the matter unless the Government decides otherwise. These guidelines have been applied by successive administrations over a long number of years and continue to apply.
Will the Taoiseach consider, for instance, that the position of treasurer of Fianna Fáil is incompatible with the position of Minister for Finance?
No. It is no more incompatible than the position held by Deputy Richie Ryan as trustee of the Fine Gael Party or by Deputy Ray MacSharry when he was treasurer of the Fianna Fáil Party. This has gone on for a long number of years. If the Deputy has any views as to why this should change, I will be interested to hear them.
Would the Taoiseach agree that the position of treasurer of the Fianna Fáil Party involves raising funds from business? How can the Minister for Finance pretend to be impartial in his decision making as it affects business if he is, on the other hand, seeking money from them?
I do not know what gives rise to this type of question from the Fine Gael Party. Is it frustration at seeing themselves in Opposition for a long time and the fact that their treasurer might never be Minister for Finance? There is no evidence that any of the people I mentioned failed to discharge their ministerial responsibilities honourably and to the full. If the Deputy has evidence to the contrary he should let me know. Otherwise, I can understand his frustration.
In view of the fact that the Ministers and their Departments are operating with multi million or billion pound budgets, and that such Ministers control the main economic levers of State, is it proposed that the people who are advising them and their programme managers will be asked to make an open declaration of interest?
We are having quite an extension of the subject matter of this question. I am proceeding to Question No. 4.