Enda Kenny
Ceist:1 Mr. Kenny asked the Taoiseach the appointments made by him since June 2002 to the State boards or other agencies under his aegis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28199/06]
Vol. 625 No. 5
1 Mr. Kenny asked the Taoiseach the appointments made by him since June 2002 to the State boards or other agencies under his aegis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28199/06]
2 Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Taoiseach the names of the persons he has appointed to State boards since 1997; the criteria for qualification for such appointments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30577/06]
3 Mr. Sargent asked the Taoiseach if he will report on appointments made by him since 1997 to State boards and other agencies under the aegis of his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30664/06]
4 Mr. Rabbitte asked the Taoiseach the persons appointed by him since 1997 to State boards or other agencies under the aegis of his Department; the criteria used in deciding to make an appointment to such a board or agency; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31612/06]
5 Mr. Rabbitte asked the Taoiseach if, in respect of any appointment made by him to a State board or agency under the aegis of his Department, he has ever made a declaration of interest as required under the Ethics in Public Office Act 1995 and the Standards in Public Office Act 2001; the appointments in respect of which such declarations were made; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32097/06]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 1 to 5, inclusive, together.
The information sought by the Deputies concerning the names of persons appointed by me to State boards under my Department's aegis — the National Economic and Social Council, the National Economic and Social Forum, the National Centre for Partnership and Performance, the Law Reform Commission and the National Statistics Board — since June 1997 is set out in a schedule that I am circulating in the Official Report for the information of the House. The schedule also lists appointments made in respect of bodies that no longer come under the aegis of my Department, namely, the Information Society Commission, Digital Media Development Limited and Campus and Stadium Ireland Development, CSID.
The members of State bodies under the aegis of my Department are appointed through well established nominating procedures, having regard to the remit of the bodies and, consequently, to the specific competencies and skills expected of their members. In many instances, members are nominated through relevant nominating panels. The NESC and NESF, for example, comprise representatives of the various pillars involved in social partnership, that is, employer bodies, trade unions, farming organisations and community and voluntary organisations.
I have not made any declaration of interests pursuant to the Ethics in Public Office Act 1995 or the Standards in Public Office Act 2001 in regard to appointments to those bodies as the need for such a declaration did not arise.
Additional information not given on the floor of the House.
National Centre for Partnership and Performance |
|||
Executive Chairperson |
Mr. Peter Cassells |
October 2001-April 2004 Reappointed: 7 November 2005 |
|
Government Departments |
|||
Mr. Philip Kelly, Assistant Secretary Deputy Chairperson |
Department of the Taoiseach |
October 2001 Reappointed: 24 January 2006 |
|
Mr. Ciaran Connolly, Assistant Secretary |
Department of Finance |
October 2001 Reappointed: 24 January 2006 |
|
Mr. Maurice Cashell |
Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment |
October 2001 |
|
Mr. John Walsh, Assistant. Secretary |
Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment |
June 2002 — replaced Mr. Maurice Cashell Reappointed: 24 January 2006 |
|
Ms. Sylda Langford, Assistant. Secretary |
Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform |
October 2001 |
|
Employers |
|||
Mr. Brendan McGinty |
Director, Human/Industrial Resources, IBEC |
October 2001 Reappointed: 24 January 2006 |
|
Mr. Liam Doherty |
Director, Human Resource Services, IBEC |
October 2001 Reappointed: 24 January 2006 |
|
Mr. Eddie Keenan |
CIF |
24 January 2006 |
|
Ms. Irene Canavan |
Arnotts |
24 January 2006 |
|
Ms. Marie Moynihan |
Human Resource Manager, Dell Direct |
October 2001 |
|
Mr. Terry McEvoy |
Director, Industrial Relations, CIF |
October 2001 |
|
Mr. Morgan Nolan |
Industrial Relations, CIF |
Jan 2004 — replaced Terry McEvoy |
National Centre for Partnership and Performance |
|||
Trade Unions |
|||
Mr. Tom Wall |
Assistant General Secretary, ICTU |
October 2001 |
|
Mr. Fergus Whelan |
Industrial Officer, ICTU |
October 2003 — replaced Mr. Tom Wall Reappointed: 24 January 2006 |
|
Mr. Jerry Shanahan |
AMICUS |
24 January 2006 |
|
Ms. Catherine Byrne |
INTO |
24 January 2006 |
|
Mr. Jack O’Connor |
General President, SIPTU |
October 2001 |
|
Ms. Marie Levis |
Assistant. General Secretary, IMPACT |
October 2001 |
|
Mr. John Tierney |
National Secretary, MSF |
October 2001 |
|
Mr. Des Geraghty |
Member of Executive Council, ICTU |
September 2004 — replaced Mr John Tierney, MSF |
|
Mr. Gerry McCormack |
SIPTU |
24 January 2006 |
|
Ms Angela Kirk |
IMPACT |
September 2004 — replaced Ms Marie Levis |
|
Prof. Joyce O’Connor |
National College of Ireland |
24 January 2006 |
|
Mr. Seán Heading, Education and Training Services Trust has been nominated by ICTU as an alternate |
|||
Independent Members |
|||
Prof. Bill Roche |
Dean of Research, Smurfit Business School, UCD |
October 2001 |
|
Dr. Sheelah Ryan |
CEO, Western Health Board |
October 2001 |
|
Mr. Seamus O’Brien |
Partnership Facilitator, Galtee Meats |
October 2001 |
|
Prof. Kathy Monks |
Dean, DCU Business School |
October 2001 |
|
Ms Dorothy Butler Scally |
Independent Human Resources Consultant |
24 January 2006 |
|
Dr. Catherine Kavanagh |
UCC |
24 January 2006 |
National Economic and Social Council |
|||
Chairperson |
Dermot McCarthy |
Secretary General Department of the Taoiseach |
Nov 1998 Sept 2003 |
Deputy Chairperson |
Mary Doyle |
Assistant Secretary Department of the Taoiseach |
Nov 1998 Sept 2003 |
Trade Union Pillar Nominees |
|||
Dave Begg |
General Secretary, ICTU |
Nov 1998Sept 2003 |
|
Peter Cassells |
ICTU |
Nov 1998 |
|
Patricia O’Donovan |
ICTU |
Nov 1998 |
|
Joan Carmichael (replaced Patricia O’Donovan) |
ICTU |
Nov 1998Sept 2003 |
|
Sally Anne Kinahan (replaced Joan Carmichael) |
ICTU |
Jan 2004 |
|
Peter McLoone |
IMPACT |
Nov 1998Sept 2003 |
|
Charlie Lennon |
ASTI |
Nov 1998 |
|
Des Geraghty (replaced Charlie Lennon) |
SIPTU |
June 2001 |
|
Jimmy Somers |
SIPTU |
Nov 1998 |
|
Manus O’Riordan (replaced Jimmy Somers) |
SIPTU |
Mar 2000Sept 2003 |
|
Jack O’Connor |
SIPTU |
Sept 2003 |
|
Business and Employer or Organisation Pillar Nominees |
|||
Turlough O’Sullivan |
IBEC |
Nov 1998 |
|
Aileen O’Donoghue (replaced Turlough O’Sullivan) |
IBEC |
Sept 2003 |
|
Simon Nugent |
CCI |
Nov 1998 |
|
Tom Toner |
IBEC |
Nov 1998 |
|
Brian Geoghegan (replaced Tom Toner) |
IBEC |
Mar 2001 Sept 2003 |
|
Danny McCoy (replaced Brian Geoghegan) |
Oct 2005 |
||
John Dunne |
CCI |
Nov 1998 Sept 2003 |
|
Liam Kelleher |
CIF |
Nov 1998 Sept 2003 |
|
Brendan Butler |
IBEC |
Nov 1998 Sept 2003 |
National Economic and Social Council |
|||
Agricultural and Farming Organisation Pillar Nominees |
|||
Gregg Tierney |
ICOS |
Nov 1998 |
|
Seamus O’Donohue |
Irish Co-operative Organisation Society |
April 2000 (replaced Gregg Tierney) Sept 2003 |
|
Ciaran Dolan |
ICMSA |
Nov 1998 Sept 2003 |
|
Michael Berkery |
General Secretary, IFA |
Nov 1998 Sept 2003 |
|
Tom Curren |
Macra na Feirme |
Nov 1998 |
|
Maria Moynihan |
Macra na Feirme |
Oct 1999 (replaced Tom Curren and resigned July 2000 ) |
|
Damian McDonald |
Macra na Feirme |
Nov 1998 Sept 2003 |
|
Con Lucey |
Chief Economist, IFA |
Nov 1998 Sept 2003 |
|
Community and Voluntary Pillar Nominees |
|||
Fr. Seán Healy |
CORI |
Nov 1998 Sept 2003 |
|
Dr. Katherine Zappone |
National Women’s Council |
Nov 1998 |
|
Orla O’Connor |
National Women’s Council |
April 2000 (replaced Katherine Zappone) |
|
Siobhán O’Donoghue |
Community Workers Co-operative |
Nov 1998 |
|
Dan Boyle |
National Youth Council |
Nov 1998 |
|
Donal Geoghegan |
National Youth Council |
September 2002 (replaced Dan Boyle) Sept 2003 |
|
Tony Monks |
INOU |
Nov 1998 |
|
Noeleen Hartigan (replaced Tony Monks) |
INOU |
Nov 2001 |
|
Deirdre Garvey |
The Wheel |
Sep 2003 |
|
Mike Allen |
INOU |
Nov 1998 |
|
John Mark McCafferty |
Saint Vincent de Paul |
Sep 2003 |
|
John Dolan |
Disability Federation of Ireland |
Sep 2003 |
National Economic and Social Council |
|||
Government Department Nominees |
|||
Tom Considine |
Secretary General Department of Finance |
Nov 1998 Sept 2003 |
|
Paul Haran |
Secretary General Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment |
Nov 1998 Sept 2003 |
|
John Hynes |
Secretary General, Department of Social and Family Affairs |
Nov 1998 Sept 2003 |
|
Brendan Tuohy |
Secretary General, Department of Communications, Marine and Natural Resources |
Nov 1998 Sept 2003 |
|
John Fitzgerald |
Dublin City Manager, Dublin City Council |
Nov 1998 |
|
John Hurley |
Secretary General, Department of Finance |
Nov 1998 |
|
Eddie Sullivan |
Secretary General, Department of Social and Community Affairs |
Nov 1998 |
|
Niall Callan |
Secretary General Department Environment, Heritage and Local Government |
Sept 2003 |
|
Seán Gorman (replaced Paul Haran) |
Secretary General, Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment |
Oct 2004 |
|
Independent Nominees |
|||
Jim Walsh |
Department of Geography NUI Maynooth |
Nov 1998 |
|
John Fitzgerald |
ESRI |
Nov 1998 Sept 2003 |
|
Irene Bergin |
ISME |
Aug 1998 |
|
Angela Kennedy |
Megazame International |
Feb 2001 (replaced Irene Bergin) |
|
Geraldine McAteer |
West Belfast Partnership |
Nov 1998 |
|
David Finn |
Aer Rianta Official |
Nov 2001 (replaced Angela Kennedy who resigned July 01) |
|
Brigid Laffan |
UCD |
Sept 2003 |
|
Eithne McLaughlin |
Queens University |
Sept 2003 |
|
Peter Bacon |
Economic Consultant |
Sept 2003 |
|
Colin Hunt |
Goodbody Stockbrokers |
Sept 2003 |
|
Dr. Seán Barrett |
Economic Consultant |
Jan 2005 (replaced Colin Hunt) |
National Economic and Social Forum |
|||
Full Membership 2004 |
|||
Independent Chairperson |
Maureen Gaffney |
Jan/Feb 2004 |
|
Deputy Chairperson |
Mary Doyle |
Assistant Sec., Department of the Taoiseach |
Jan/Feb 2004 |
Independent Appointments |
Dr. Mary P. Corcoran |
Senior Lecturer, NUI, Maynooth |
Jan/Feb 2004 |
Cáit Keane |
South Dublin County Council |
Jan/Feb 2004 |
|
Dr. Colm Harmon |
Director, Institute for the Study of Social Change, UCD |
Jan/Feb 2004 |
|
Mr. Brian Nolan |
Research Professor, ESRI |
Jan/Feb 2004 |
|
Mr. Paul Tansey |
Economist |
Jan/Feb 2004 |
|
Strand (i) Oireachtas |
Michael Woods |
Fianna Fáil TD |
Jan/Feb 2004 |
John Curran |
Fianna Fáil TD |
Jan/Feb 2004 |
|
Senator Mary O’Rourke |
Fianna Fáil |
Jan/Feb 2004 |
|
Senator Paschal Mooney |
Fianna Fáil |
Jan/Feb 2004 |
|
Senator Brendan Daly |
Fianna Fáil |
Jan/Feb 2004 |
|
Senator Geraldine Feeney |
Fianna Fáil |
Jan/Feb 2004 |
|
Pat Carey |
Fianna Fáil TD |
Jan/Feb 2004 |
|
Senator Paul Coghlan |
Fine Gael |
Jan/Feb 2004 |
|
Damien English |
Fine Gael TD |
Jan/Feb 2004 |
|
Paul Kehoe |
Fine Gael TD |
Jan/Feb 2004 |
|
Joan Burton |
Labour TD |
Jan/Feb 2004 |
|
Willie Penrose |
Labour TD |
Jan/Feb 2004 |
|
Senator Kate Walsh |
Progressive Democrats |
Jan/Feb 2004 |
|
Senator Feargal Quinn |
Independents |
Jan/Feb 2004 |
|
Jerry Cowley |
Technical Group TD |
Jan/Feb 2004 |
|
Strand (ii) Employer/Trade Unions |
|||
Employer/Business Organisations |
Jackie Harrison |
IBEC |
Jan/Feb 2004 |
Maria Cronin |
IBEC |
Oct/Nov 2004 (replaced Jackie Harrison) |
|
Tony Donohue |
IBEC |
Sept 2006(replaced Maria Cronin) |
|
Heidi Lougheed |
IBEC |
Jan/Feb 2004 |
|
Patricia Callan |
Small Firms Association |
Jan/Feb 2004 |
|
Kevin Gilna |
Construction Industry Federation |
Jan/Feb 2004 |
|
Carmel Mulroy |
Chambers of Commerce/Tourist Industry/Exporters Association |
Jan/Feb 2004 |
National Economic and Social Forum |
|||
Trade Unions |
Eamon Devoy |
Technical Engineering and Electrical Union |
Jan/Feb 2004 |
Blair Horan |
Civil and Public Service Union |
Jan/Feb 2004 |
|
Jerry Shanahan |
AMICUS |
Jan/Feb 2004 |
|
Manus O’Riordan |
SIPTU |
Jan/Feb 2004 |
|
Paula Carey |
ICTU |
Jan/Feb 2004 |
|
Esther Lynch |
ICTU |
Sept 2006 (Replaced Paula Carey) |
|
Agricultural/Farming Organisations |
Mary McGreal |
Irish Farmers Association |
Jan/Feb 2004 |
Michael Doody |
Irish Creamery Milk Suppliers Association |
Jan/Feb 2004 |
|
Mary Johnson |
Irish Co-Operative Organisation Society |
Jan/Feb 2004 |
|
Carmel Brennan |
Macra na Feirme |
Jan/Feb 2004 |
|
Anne Murray |
Irish Country Women’s Association |
Jan/Feb 2004 |
|
Carmel Dawson |
Irish Country Women’s Association |
June 2006 (Replaced Anne Murray) |
|
Strand (iii) Community and Voluntary Sector |
|||
Women’s Organisations |
Frances Byrne |
National Women’s Council of Ireland |
Jan/Feb 2004 |
Joanna McMinn |
National Women’s Council of Ireland |
Jan/Feb 2004 |
|
Unemployed |
June Tinsley |
INOU |
Jan/Feb 2004 |
Patricia Short |
ICTU Centres for the Unemployed |
Jan/Feb 2004 |
|
Disadvantaged |
Sr. Brigid Reynolds |
CORI |
Jan/Feb 2004 |
John-Mark McCafferty |
Society of Saint Vincent de Paul |
Jan/Feb 2004 |
|
Audrey Deane |
Society of Saint Vincent de Paul |
Nov 2004 (replaced John-Mark McCafferty) |
|
Sharon Keane |
Anti-Poverty Networks |
Jan/Feb 2004 |
|
Youth/Children |
Malcolm Byrne |
NYCI |
Jan/Feb 2004 |
Raymond Dooley |
Children’s Rights Alliance |
Jan/Feb 2004 |
|
Older People |
Robin Webster |
National Council for Ageing and Older People/Senior Citizen’s Parliament/Age Action |
Jan/Feb 2004 |
Others |
Seán Gallagher |
The Carers Association |
Jan/Feb 2004 |
Seamus Boland |
Irish Rural Link |
Jan/Feb 2004 |
|
Fergus O’Ferrall |
The Wheel |
Jan/Feb 2004 |
National Economic and Social Forum |
|||
Strand (iv) Central Government, Local Government and Independents |
|||
Central Government |
Tom Considine |
Secretary General, Department of Finance |
Jan/Feb 2004 |
Paul Haran |
Secretary General, Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment |
Jan/Feb 2004 Retired 22/10/04 |
|
John Hynes |
Secretary General, Department of Social and Family Affairs |
Jan/Feb 2004 |
|
Gerry Kearney |
Secretary General, Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs |
Jan/Feb 2004 |
|
Niall Callan |
Secretary General, Department of Environment, Heritage and Local Government |
Jan/Feb 2004 |
|
Local Government |
Councillor John Egan |
General Council of County Councils |
Jan/Feb 2004 |
Councillor Ger Barron |
General Council of County Councils |
Nov 2004 (replaced Cllr. John Egan) |
|
Councillor Patsy Treanor |
General Council of County Councils |
Jan/Feb 2004 |
|
Councillor Jack Crowe |
General Council of County Councils |
Nov 2004 (replaced Cllr Patsy Treanor) |
|
Councillor Constance Hanniffy |
General Council of County Councils |
Jan/Feb 2004 |
|
Councillor Patricia McCarthy |
Association of Municipal Authorities |
Jan/Feb 2004 |
|
Donal O’Donoghue |
County and City Managers Association |
Jan/Feb 2004 |
|
John Tierney |
County and City Managers Association |
Nov 2004 (replaced Donal O’Donoghue) |
|
Independents |
Dr. Colm Harmon |
Institute for the Study of Social Change, UCD |
Jan/Feb 2004 |
Dr. Mary P. Corcoran |
Department of Sociology |
Jan/Feb 2004 |
|
Dr. Brian Nolan |
ESRI |
Jan/Feb 2004 |
|
Paul Tansey |
Tansey, Webster, Stewart and Company Limited |
Jan/Feb 2004 |
|
Cáit Keane |
South Dublin County Council |
Jan/Feb 2004 |
|
Full Membership 1998 |
|||
Independent Chairperson |
Ms Maureen Gaffney |
October 1998 |
|
Deputy Chairperson |
Mr. Dermot McCarthy |
Department of the Taoiseach |
October 1998 |
Independent Appointments |
Prof. Gearóid Ó Tuathaigh |
NUI, Galway |
October 1998 |
Ms Marian Vickers |
Northside Partnership |
October 1998 |
|
Ms Helen Johnston |
Surg. Equipment Limited |
October 1998 |
|
Mr. Niall Fitzduff |
Rural Communities Network |
October 1998 |
|
Ms Noreen Kearney |
Trinity College, Dublin |
October 1998 |
National Economic and Social Forum |
|||
Strand (i) Oireachtas |
Deputy Gerry Reynolds |
Fine Gael |
October 1998 |
Deputy Paul McGrath |
Fine Gael |
October 1998 |
|
Deputy Billy Timmins |
Fine Gael |
October 1998 |
|
Deputy Mary Jackman |
Fine Gael |
October 1998 |
|
Senator Therese Ridge |
Fine Gael |
October 1998 |
|
Deputy Derek McDowell |
Labour |
October 1998 |
|
Senator Joe Costello |
Labour |
October 1998 |
|
Deputy Michael Lowry |
Independent |
October 1998 |
|
Deputy Noel Ahern |
Fianna Fáil |
October 1998 |
|
Deputy Seán Haughey |
Fianna Fáil |
October 1998 |
|
Deputy Beverly Cooper-Flynn |
Fianna Fáil |
October 1998 |
|
Deputy Michael Kitt |
Fianna Fáil |
October 1998 |
|
Senator Helen Keogh |
Progressive Democrats |
October 1998 |
|
Senator Margaret Cox |
Fianna Fáil |
October 1998 |
|
Senator Pascal Mooney |
Fianna Fáil |
October 1998 |
|
Strand (ii) Employer/Trade Unions |
|||
Employers/Business |
Mr. Brian Geoghegan |
IBEC |
October 1998 |
Ms Aileen O’Donoghue |
IBEC |
October 1998 |
|
Ms Lilian O’Carroll |
SFA |
October 1998 |
|
Ms Mirette Corboy |
CIF |
October 1998 |
|
Ms Alison Begas |
Chambers of Commerce |
October 1998 |
|
Farming |
Ms Eileen Doyle |
Macra na Feirme |
October 1998 |
Mr. John Dillon |
IFA |
October 1998 |
|
Ms Mary Coleman |
ICOS |
October 1998 |
|
Mr. Pat O’Rourke |
ICMSA |
October 1998 |
|
Ms Eva Coyle |
ICWA |
October 1998 |
|
Trade Unions |
Mr. Eamon Devoy |
TWEU |
October 1998 |
Mr. Blair Horan |
CPSU |
October 1998 |
|
Mr. John Tierney |
ICTU |
October 1998 |
|
Mr. Manus O’Riordan |
SIPTU |
October 1998 |
|
Ms Rosaleen Glacken |
ICTU |
October 1998 |
National Economic and Social Forum |
|||
Strand (iii) Community and Voluntary |
|||
Women’s Organisations |
Ms Susan McNaughton |
NWC |
October 1998 |
Ms Grainne Healy |
NWC |
October 1998 |
|
Ms Ursula Barry |
NWC |
October 1998 |
|
Unemployed |
Ms Joan Condon |
Limerick Centre for the Unemployed |
October 1998 |
Ms Mary Murphy |
Dundalk Centre for theUnemployed |
October 1998 |
|
Mr. Mike Allen |
INOU |
October 1998 |
|
Disadvantaged |
Mr. Chris McInerney |
Community Workers Co-Op |
October 1998 |
Ms Janice Ransom |
N/A |
October 1998 |
|
Mr. Joe Gallagher |
Community Training Programme |
October 1998 |
|
Youth |
Mr. Gearóid Ó Maolmhichíl |
NYCI |
October 1998 |
The Elderly |
Mr. Paddy Donegan |
Retired Workers Committee |
October 1998 |
Disability Interests |
Mr. Roger Acton |
DFI |
October 1998 |
Environment |
Ms Jeanne Meldon |
National Planning Committee |
October 1998 |
Others |
Fr Seán Healy |
CORI |
October 1998 |
Mr. Liam O’Dwyer |
St. Vincent de Paul |
October 1998 |
|
Strand (iv) Central Government, Local Government and Independents |
|||
Local Government |
Councillor Constance Hanniffy |
General Council of County Councils |
October 1998 |
Councillor Tom Kelleher |
General Council of County Councils |
October 1998 |
|
Councillor Enda Nolan |
General Council of County Councils |
October 1998 |
|
Councillor Tadgh Curtis |
Association of Municipal Authorities |
October 1998 |
|
Mr. D. O’Donoghue |
County and City Managers Association |
October 1998 |
|
Government Departments |
Department of Finance |
Department of Finance |
October 1998 |
Mr. Paul Haran |
Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment |
October 1998 Retired 22/10/04 |
|
Mr. Eddie Sullivan |
Department of Social, Community and Family Affairs |
October 1998 |
|
Ms Margaret Hayes |
Department of Tourism, Sport and Recreation |
October 1998 |
|
Mr. Jimmy Farrelly |
Department of the Environment and Local Government |
October 1998 |
|
Independents |
Prof. Gearóid Ó Tuathaigh |
National University of Ireland, Galway |
October 1998 |
Ms Marian Vickers |
Northside Partnership |
October 1998 |
|
Ms Helen Johnston |
Surg. Equipment Limited |
October 1998 |
|
Mr. Niall Fitzduff |
Rural Communities Network |
October 1998 |
|
Ms Noreen Kearney |
Trinity College |
October 1998 |
Law Reform Commission |
|||
President |
The Hon. Mr. Justice Vivian Lavan |
Judge of the High Court |
27 July 1998 — retired February 2000 |
President |
The Hon. Mr. Justice Declan Budd |
High Court. |
22nd February, 2000 — retired 21 February 2005 |
President |
Mrs Justice Catherine McGuinness |
Judge of the Supreme Court |
22 February 2005 |
Commissioner (Full-time) |
Patricia T. Rickard-Clarke, |
Solicitor |
1 October 2001. Reappointed 30 September 2004 |
Commissioner (Part-time) |
Dr. Hilary A Delaney, B.L. |
Senior Lecture in Law, TCD |
15 April 1997. Reappointed 15 April, 2002 |
Commissioner (Part-time) |
Professor Finbarr McAuley, B.C.L., LLB, MPhil, LLD, |
Jean Monnet Professor of European Criminal Justice, UCD |
1 September 1999. Reappointed 1 September 2004 |
Commissioner (Part-Time) |
Marian Shanley |
Solicitor |
Appointed 13 November 2001. Reappointed 12 November 2004 |
Senior Counsel (Part-Time) |
Donal O’Donnell |
Senior Counsel |
28 June 2005 (replaced Dr. Hilary A. Delaney, BL) |
National Statistics Board |
|||
Professor Frances Ruane |
Trinity College, Dublin |
July 1999 Aug 2001 |
|
Mr. David Doyle |
Department of Finance |
January 1998 |
|
Mr. Dermot McCarthy |
Department of the Taoiseach |
July 1999 |
|
Mr. Cathal O’Loghlin |
Department of Finance |
Jan 1999 July 1999 Aug 2001 |
|
Mr. Frank Cunneen |
Health and Safety Authority |
July 1999 Aug 2001 Feb 2004 |
|
Mr. Ciaran Dolan |
ICMSA |
July 1999 Aug 2001Feb 2004 |
|
Ms Paula Carey |
ICTU |
July 1999 Aug 2001 Feb 2004 |
|
Mr. Steve Couldwell |
Smith and Nephew |
Jan 1998 |
|
Ms Marian Harkin |
Teacher |
July 1999 Aug 2001 |
|
Ms Mary Doyle |
Department of the Taoiseach |
Jan 2001 Aug 2001 Feb 2004 |
|
Ms Helen NicFhlannchadha |
Teacher |
March 2002 |
|
Professor Brendan Walsh |
University College Dublin |
Feb 2004 |
|
Dr. Pat O’Hara |
Western Development Commission |
Feb 2004 |
|
Mr. Derek Moran |
Department of Finance |
July 2003 Feb 2004 |
|
Mr. Paul Sweeney |
ICTU |
Oct 2006 |
Membership |
Organisation |
Date of Appointment |
Ms Vivienne Jupp (Chairman) |
Andersen Consulting |
May 1997 |
Ms Selina Bonnie |
Communications Consultant |
May 1997 |
Ms Paula Carey |
ICTU |
May 1997 |
Mr. Donal Connell |
3COM |
May 1997 |
Mr. Seán Corkery |
Esat Telecom |
May 1997 |
Dr. Eamonn G. Hall |
Telecom Éireann |
May 1997 |
Mr. Paul Kavanagh |
Businessman |
May 1997 |
Mr. Dermot McCarthy |
Department of the Taoiseach |
May 1997 |
Mr. Eugene Murray |
RTE |
May 1997 |
Mr. Séamus Ó Canainn |
Blackrock Education Centre |
May 1997 |
Footnote: The Information Society Commission was established by the Government in May 1997, in response to the report of Ireland's Information Society Steering Committee: Information Society Ireland: Strategy for Action.
The Commission was an advisory body whose main function was to monitor and advise Government on the development of an Information Society in Ireland. One of the most important of the Commission's tasks was to raise awareness among the public and industry of the opportunities and benefits offered by the Information Society.
The first Information Society Commission ran until November 2001.
Membership |
Organisation |
Date of Appointment |
Danny O’Hare (Chairman) |
Former President of DCU (Dublin City University) |
November 2001 |
Claire Cunningham |
Director, Aura Internet Services Ltd |
November 2001 |
Dr. Chris Coughlan |
Hewlett Packard |
November 2001 |
Michael Byrne |
CEO, Ennis Information Age Services |
November 2001 |
Jerry Shanahan |
ICTU/Amicus |
November 2001 |
Karen Hynes |
Manager of E-Business Services, Chambers of Commerce of Ireland |
November 2001 |
Colm Reilly |
PA Consulting |
November 2001 |
Inez Bailey |
Director, National Adult Literacy Agency |
November 2001 |
Dr. Eamonn Conway |
Head of the Department of Theology and Religious Studies, Mary Immaculate College, UL (University of Limerick) |
November 2001 |
Robert Johnston |
JLS Software Solutions |
November 2001 |
Clodagh O’Donnell |
Client Executive, Financial Services Sector, IBM |
November 2001 |
Dee Cari |
Torque Management |
November 2001 |
Marion O’Neill |
Manager, Kilkenny Information Age Town |
November 2001 |
Dr. Patricia O’Hara |
Manager, Policy Division, Western Development Commission |
November 2001 |
Christopher Took |
Web Developer (resigned September 2002) |
November 2001 |
Charles Stanley-Smith |
Chief Technical Officer, Piercom |
November 2001 |
Brian Lennon |
Guidance Counsellor, St Oliver’s College, Drogheda |
November 2001 |
Donal Toolan |
Forum of People with Disabilities |
November 2001 |
Kathryn Raleigh |
Director of the Irish Software Association, IBEC |
November 2001 |
Joe Horan |
County Manager, South Dublin County Council |
November 2001 |
Peter Ryan |
Assistant Secretary, Department of the Taoiseach |
November 2001 |
Footnote: The second Information Society Commission ran until 31 December 2004.
The following appointments were made by the Government to the Board of Digital Media Development Limited in April 2000:
Paddy Teahon |
Executive Chairman |
Dan Flinter |
Enterprise Ireland |
Don Thirnhill |
HEA |
John Fitzgerald |
Dublin City Manager |
Paul Kavanagh |
Businessman |
Paul McGuinness |
Principle Management Ltd |
Peter Cassells |
ICTU |
Jackie Harrison |
IBEC |
Footnote: MediaLab Europe was established by the Government and MIT with effect from May 2000. Although established as a private company, the board was appointed by MIT and the Government. MIT appointed three board members, the Government appointed three and three were appointed jointly. The Government appointments were Danny O'Hare, ex-DCU, Ann Riordan, ex-Microsoft, and Denis O'Brien, Esat. The joint appointees were Gerhard Schulmeyer, Siemens, Red Burns, New York University, and Bono, U2.
Responsibility for both Digital Media Development Limited and MediaLab Europe transferred to the Department of Public Enterprise in May 2001.
The board of Campus and Stadium Ireland Development, CSID, was appointed on 29 March 2000. The members were as follows:
Paddy Teahon |
Executive Chairman (former Secretary General of the Department of the Taoiseach) |
William Attley |
Former General Secretary, SIPTU |
Mary Davis |
(former Chief Executive of Special Olympics World Games, now CEO of Special Olympics Ireland) |
Seán Donnelly |
Civil Engineer |
Lucy Gaffney |
Company Director |
Tom Kiernan |
Chartered Accountant |
John Mulcahy |
Director, Jones Lang LaSalle |
Liam Ó Maolmhichil |
Director General, GAA |
John Power |
Solicitor |
John Treacy |
CEO, Irish Sports Council |
Michael Walsh |
Company Director |
Footnote: In January 2001, the responsibility for Campus and Stadium Ireland Development transferred to the Department of Arts, Sport and Tourism.
I draw the Taoiseach's attention to part of the code of conduct for officeholders that deals with appointments. The Taoiseach will be familiar with paragraph 2.2.7, which reads as follows:
Subject to provisions in legislation or other formal requirements for the establishment of Government bodies or the filling of positions, appointments by members of the Government should be made on the basis of merit, taking into account the skills, qualifications and experience of the person to be appointed, as well as any other relevant criteria, including, for example, requirements in relation to gender balance.
In a recent very famous broadcast, the Taoiseach said that he made appointments to State boards on the basis that the nominees were friends. Does the appointment of persons to State boards on the basis of their being friends accord with the code of conduct with which officeholders are expected to comply? Perhaps the Taoiseach will comment on that.
Appointments to boards are made on the basis of the knowledge, expertise and experience that an individual can bring to such boards' work. In many cases, appointment is on the basis of nomination by relevant groups, such as the social partners, and the individuals involved agree to serve out of a sense of public duty rather than any monetary consideration. Appointment of the limited number of people whom I consider friends was also based on that criterion, namely, that they had the necessary knowledge, expertise and experience. More than anything else, they were prepared to give up their valuable time to serve on boards. They are not there because they are friends in the sense that they lack the knowledge, expertise and experience.
I have a supplementary question. Does that mean that the Taoiseach's comment that he made appointments on the basis of persons being friends was not true and that the reality was that they were persons known to him who had the requisite knowledge and experience? Did he mean it that way? Was it a matter of knowledge and experience as distinct from friendship? I take his point about people giving of their valuable time to serve on boards, which is obviously always a difficulty. However, I wish to be clear regarding paragraph 2.2.7 in that the Taoiseach now says that appointments made by him were not made on the sole basis that people were friends but rather on the basis of knowledge and experience.
I have many friends who, with the greatest respect, lack the knowledge, expertise and experience to serve on boards. The number of those people whom one would appoint is limited, and there is none in my Department because I would not have people involved in certain technical areas such as statistics. However, there are people whom I consider friends with knowledge, experience and expertise and whom I trust, believing that they would give the necessary time and commitment to the task, and those people I would appoint. If I did not believe that they had that expertise or the patriotic sense of being able to give fulsomely of their time, I would not appoint them.
What about neighbours?
In the Taoiseach's response, he commented on appointments to State boards and so on under the aegis of his Department. Did he make representations to other Ministers to have "friends" appointed to other State boards, for instance, Mr. Des Richardson to the board of Aer Lingus?
This question refers specifically to appointments under the Taoiseach's aegis.
My question certainly concerns appointments to State boards. I ask the Taoiseach whether he made representations, which is his prerogative to answer. That is the question to which I want an answer.
The Taoiseach should answer regarding appointments under his aegis only.
I want to know does that apply in the cases of Mr. Richardson and Mr. Joe Burke, who is listed as chairman of the Dublin Port Company.
Mr. David McKenna was appointed to the board of Enterprise Ireland. The Taoiseach should be upfront and advise us of the facts with regard to all of these appointments.
I draw the Deputy's attention to the fact that his question refers to the Taoiseach's own appointments.
On many occasions I have confronted the Taoiseach with regard to the practices he employed — those we knew of then as opposed to those practices we know of now — with regard to appointments to State boards and other such quangos. Will the Taoiseach, in the light of all we now know, agree that the best approach for such appointments in the future is by open public advertisement? The country is awash with talent and good people who share many of the high qualities and motivation about which the Taoiseach has spoken, but they are not known to him and are not his friends. They have every right to be considered for such public service. Is this not the right time to change the flawed practices of the past and open up these appointment opportunities to every citizen and to make the appointments on merit alone?
Any people I appointed or nominated to a State board when another Minister was making an appointment were people I believed to have the knowledge, expertise and experience required. I put forward names of many people of all party political persuasions and of none whom I believed had the required knowledge, expertise and experience.
I do not agree with the Deputy with regard to advertising positions. People serving on State boards are people who are prepared to give their time, energy and commitment to the job. The position has become more burdensome and demanding due to regulatory issues and company law changes over the years and fewer people are prepared to take it on. The current system works well rather than advertising the positions. There is a more limited pool now because of the extent and range of people on boards. We have to pick people and I see nothing wrong with the current system. Many people across State boards appointed by this and previous Governments are not party political. They are there because of the role they play and their involvement in organisations in the State. I do not see anything wrong with that system. It has served the country well.
I resent these organisations being called quangos. If they are quangos, they should not be there. The organisations are there because of statutes and legislation of the House. I see nothing wrong with the system.
That is the problem.
Following his declared procedure of appointing people to State boards, does the Taoiseach appreciate how that could malign many competent, talented and experienced members of State boards who may feel they were appointed on the basis of a friendship rather than merit? Does it not behove the Taoiseach to set out clearly the need for a new procedure, just as he has acknowledged we need change in our ethical legislation? We need an acknowledgment that, in the past, there have been too many close personal and political connections and we need to make it clear that appointments are based on merit alone. Is it not the case that groups that have not been allowed representation on boards like the National Consumer Agency, for example, consumer groups and older persons representative groups, may feel aggrieved that somehow they were not friendly enough to warrant appointment? We do not have a level playing pitch currently and that needs to be addressed.
We know from experience that many appointments have been made before an election, right up to election day. Some 60 appointments were made by various Ministers before the last general election — just before leaving office — including by Deputies O'Donoghue, Dermot Ahern, Noel Dempsey, O'Rourke and Fahey. Will the procedures in the Taoiseach's Department and those he proposes to lay down for Government avoid and prevent this type of board stuffing that takes place before elections? Can he explain why it happened and will it happen in the future?
It happens after elections also.
I point out to the Deputy that the question refers specifically to the Taoiseach's Department.
I tried hard to stay in order.
The Deputy did not.
I will not try to get into the business of what happens before or after elections in this regard because it would lead to us trading abuse across the House.
There are a few hundred people on boards related to my Department. I probably know most of them, but none of them are close friends. They are there because they had the right to be nominated. All of them are consumers.
We are all consumers, but we are not all on the National Consumer Agency board.
With regard to boards generally, not just recently, but for a long time the position has been that Governments have had to try hard to get people for them. These people are from organisations and professions and are known. The Government has not been partisan about appointing boards and packing them with supporters as can be seen if one looks at the range of people on the various boards. Many of the chairmen of State boards are not affiliated to Fianna Fáil or the Progressive Democrats, but they do a good job. Even throughout the clearing house groups in my Department and the financial services group, I do not have a notion of people's politics. I would only know the party political affiliations of a small proportion of people. Nowadays, we must comply with employment regulations. This situation has come about over a long number of years.
The Taoiseach is an innocent abroad. If we believe that, we would believe anything.
Allow the Taoiseach to speak without interruption.
I believe it. I could name a number of chairmen of State boards who support Deputy McGinley's party, but that is not the point. Board members are doing a good job as best they can. The days of just naming people and getting them to take positions on State boards are no longer easy.
The Taoiseach's backbenchers would know appointees' politics.
The dogs on the street would know their political affiliations.
I wish to ask the Taoiseach about paragraph 24 of the code which states that if an office holder, the first office holder, or a person acting on his or her behalf proposes to make a request to a second office holder with regard to the performance of a function by the second office holder and the first office holder has actual knowledge that he or she or a connected person has a material interest in a matter to which the function relates, the first office holder must furnish a statement in writing of the facts and the nature of the interest to the second office holder. The statement should be furnished before or at the time of making the request and the statement provided to the second office holder must be provided by that second office holder to the Taoiseach and-or the standards commission in accordance with the procedure outlined.
In respect of representations the Taoiseach made to other Ministers to appoint a number of members of the Drumcondra dozen, did he make that material interest known and did he make the required written statement?
Anyone I asked any Minister to appoint, a limited number over the past decade or during my ministerial career, would not have had any material interest in the appointment. They took the position from a sense of duty and responsibility, not because of a material interest. I would not make a board appointment to someone for a material interest.
That is not the point. The material interest arises from the fact that the Taoiseach was in receipt of gifts, loans or whatever from a number of persons on behalf of whom he made representations to a colleague Minister to have them appointed to a State board. Under paragraph 24 of the code, the Taoiseach was required to make the statements to which I referred. Did he make them?
If no material interest relates to an appointment, that is the governing point. If there was a material interest and a person was appointed for the sake of some beneficial interest to him or her, one would have to declare it. If not, one would not have to make a declaration.
The Taoiseach had a material interest.
I did not. It did not apply in those circumstances.
The Taoiseach named a number of them. I do not wish to name them here. It is written in black and white under Article 24. Did the Taoiseach furnish the statement?
There was not any conflict of interest, nor was there any material interest. I would not appoint somebody to a board under the remit of my Department, or another Department, that would be in conflict with that legislation.
6 Mr. Kenny asked the Taoiseach if, in view of recent comments of the Standards in Public Office Commission, he has plans to amend the code of conduct for office holders; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28201/06]
7 Mr. Sargent asked the Taoiseach if he will report on the guidelines governing the use of civil servants to brief Members of the Houses of the Oireachtas; if he will outline these guidelines; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30668/06]
8 Mr. Rabbitte asked the Taoiseach the plans he has to amend or update the code of conduct for office holders; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30873/06]
9 Mr. Kenny asked the Taoiseach if he plans to amend the code of conduct for office holders; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32249/06]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 6 to 9, inclusive, together.
The code of conduct for office holders was published by the Government in July 2003 pursuant to section 10(2) of the Standards in Public Office Act 2001, following consultation with the Standards in Public Office Commission. On two occasions since the code was launched, I have provided office holders with additional guidance on it in the light of views expressed by the commission. The first occasion was in regard to the use of public resources in the context of public events or advertising. On the second occasion, the guidance related to briefings by civil servants to Members of the Oireachtas.
Deputies will be aware that on 10 October 2006, the Tánaiste and I announced that the Government will bring forward an amendment to the existing ethics legislation to provide that any office holder, or Member of the Dáil or Seanad, who accepts a gift or loan from a friend for personal purposes shall seek the confidential opinion of the Standards in Public Office Commission as to whether the gift or loan in the particular circumstances would be likely to compromise the recipient in the discharge of his or her duties. The House will have an opportunity to discuss this in detail when the relevant Bill is introduced shortly by the Minister for Finance.
When the amending legislation is enacted, the Government, in consultation with the Standards in Public Office Commission, will consider the need to update the code of conduct. Whenever the code is to be updated, it will reflect the additional guidance I have already conveyed to office holders and any further guidance that may be required consequent to enactment of the amending legislation.
We have had some discussion about this in the recent past. Paragraph 2.2.8 of the code of conduct for office holders states:
Office holders should be particularly sensitive of acceptance of gifts or hospitality from friends, or connected persons, as defined in the 1995 Act, where such persons have, or are likely to obtain, a benefit or suffer a loss arising from a decision made, or to be made, by an office holder or by the Government, of which the office holder is aware.
The Taoiseach has stated the legislation cobbled together by him and the Tánaiste will be brought forward by the Minister for Finance shortly. When is that likely to appear? Will the legislation on the code of conduct for office holders include proposals to change the code to allow Ministers or Ministers of State to declare themselves as acting in a personal capacity, as distinct from a ministerial capacity, in order to receive gifts, loans or whatever and that they will not feel compromised as a consequence?
It is not appropriate to discuss what might be in legislation.
Of course it is.
This is not the Order of Business.
I refer to the code of conduct for office holders which was a matter of some controversy recently. One cannot make legislation retrospective so it cannot apply to previous ministerial office holders. Does the Taoiseach believe it is possible to put in place a structure where Minister X can say he or she is receiving a gift, loan or whatever, in a personal capacity? In the case of a Minister travelling to America, England or elsewhere in Europe, where he or she may be likely to receive a gift or whatever, should he or she notify the Taoiseach or the Standards in Public Office Commission in advance or will it be the case that if a Minister receives a gift, loan or whatever for personal purposes that the position can be rectified on his or her return? Is it possible to take off one's hat and say one is acting in a personal capacity, as distinct from carrying out a public duty?
If one receives a gift in a personal or any other capacity, one would have to check with the Standards in Public Office Commission. Otherwise, one could not accept anything. The code will have to be designed in the same way.
The Deputy is correct about retrospective legislation, but I should say to Members following my recent experiences that even though the code of conduct relating to ethics dates to 1995 and 2000, the Standards in Public Office Commission dates to 2001 and the legislation relating to public funding dates to 1997. The code was updated twice since then. Whenever one gets into any difficulty it does not matter what is retrospective but none of these things applied when I was there; everyone just ignores that point. Retrospective legislation applies to every other case but when it concerns an individual, unfortunately, it does not.
I accept Deputy Kenny's point that it will have to be clear that whatever the circumstances in which one receives something, one must check with the Standards in Public Office Commission.
My question relates to the use of civil servants to brief Members. The briefings given in regard to Northern Ireland have been most welcome and appreciated. The Taoiseach sent a letter to Ministers and Ministers of State in August which is quite Jesuitical in some ways. It states, "in future office holders should not request civil servants to conduct briefings in settings such as parliamentary party meetings". It further states, "but it would not be inappropriate to provide a technical or factual briefing to a group of Members set up by a parliamentary party to deal with a particular issue". Does the Taoiseach wish to bring any clarity to these guidelines, given that a sub-group of a parliamentary party is not inappropriate but a parliamentary party is inappropriate? We appear to be dealing with very fine lines here. Will the Taoiseach clarify the position so that neither we nor the Government would get on the wrong side of that line? Both examples appear to be very similar to me. Has the Taoiseach's own parliamentary party been briefed recently by civil servants and, if so, on what issues?
As Deputy Kenny mentioned, we have had a considerable amount of public debate on the appropriateness of office holders accepting gifts or loans and the need to consult with the Standards in Public Office Commission. In the Taoiseach's statement on that matter, it mentions that failure to abide by the opinion of the commission would constitute an offence. Can the Taoiseach indicate what type of sanction is being considered for such an offence? Is it a resigning matter, as it probably would be across the water, or what does the Taoiseach intend by a sanction in that regard?
That point will have to be worked out in the legislation.
Does the Taoiseach have no idea?
It could be made a criminal offence but it will have to be worked out. The bottom line is that there must be some penalty. It will have to be examined.
We discussed the first issue previously. The point made by the Standards in Public Office Commission is that civil servants should not be used in a political fashion, but that the age old tradition of civil servants being able to brief Members of the Oireachtas, or a group of Members of the Oireachtas of any party, who were engaged in the preparation or examination of a technically complex Bill, which is the case with many Bills, would be greatly beneficial.
A civil servant could have worked on a Bill for six or seven years. I brought in the Industrial Relations Act 1990. The Bill had been a live one in the Department for 23 years. I recall at the time that numerous briefings were given to Members of this House, trade unions, employers' groups and chambers of commerce. To expect any Member of the House to grasp incredibly technical Bills — I have brought in health and safety Bills and other Bills — is nonsense. To say that Members should not gain the benefit of someone who is an expert, has studied the matter inside and out, knows the section and would be able to brief people would be a nonsense. Having a civil servant march into a meeting of an entire parliamentary party meeting and engage with it is a different matter.
It has always been the practice that parliamentary party-nominated groups or subgroups examine Bills. Governments have always made officials available if emergency legislation is introduced or a loophole must be closed because of a European judgment. That is an appropriate way to conduct business. To breach that practice would be wrong and would damage the House.
The Taoiseach may have said when it is proposed to introduce the amendment to the ethics Act.
The very near future.
Let us call a spade a spade. The amendment is a face-saver for the Tánaiste in light of the recent controversy. We do not need legislation to——
Does the Deputy have a question?
Yes. Do we need legislation to get someone else to adjudicate on whether a gift should be accepted? It is a face-saver and a fig leaf for the Tánaiste, although I do not want to confuse the different parts of his anatomy.
The Deputy should ask his question because we are running late.
It is nonsense. If we are to make an amendment to get past what was referred to as last week's little turbulence, will the Government include the commission's request to be allowed to investigate matters where a complaint is not formally laid?
The point was made that the loophole in the legislation should be closed off. If a Member of the House receives a part of a property or land from a relation in future, will he or she be able to accept it? The amendment will create a mechanism to check that. It is a good idea. I would not like to see the House turn into the greatest purist in the world, which it is fast becoming. We would lose good Members because of that kind of view. I have watched the House change dramatically over the years. If one needs to check something — from my own experience with checking, when in doubt, the answer is always "No" — it is better to have a vehicle through which to do that. This loophole has been pointed out by commentators inside and outside the House.
I have read in newspapers that the Standards in Public Office Commission believes it should be able to investigate a matter without a complaint being made. From my experience as Taoiseach, there is no end of people who are prepared to write anonymously or otherwise and say things about Members. I could have collected a book of them in the last month, but I shredded all of the comments because I do not believe in that kind of politics. I have not noticed any problem regarding people in the public or the media not complaining about Members of the House. From my experience, the opposite is the case. If there is a coherent argument that the Standards in Public Office Commission has difficulty getting people to complain about Members, I will listen to it, but it is not the problem from where I sit.
There is no doubt that the Taoiseach is good; that is a plausible line. Let us put it on the record.
Does the Deputy have a question?
I do. It is difficult to see the loophole, but I do not want to argue with the Taoiseach. If he is intent on this and the Tánaiste is happy, I too am happy and the Labour Party will support the legislation.
For a change.
We are introducing amending legislation of little importance. If we are refurbishing the legislation, why will the Government not take on board the explicit recommendation of the commission to the effect that it needs the power to initiate investigations if it is to do its job? Is it being suggested that the eminent members of the commission would embark on a mischievous inquiry for the sake of it?
I know what the Taoiseach means about anonymous complainants, telephone calls and so on because I have the same experiences all of the time. This morning, I received a telephone call from an irate man who had a letter published in a newspaper.
The Deputy should confine himself to his question.
He claimed that I rang his wife and complained about the letter, but I never made any——
He should not have done that.
Disgraceful. It is of deep concern.
I thank the Tánaiste. I never made any such telephone call, but my name was used by the person who did. I know that such behaviour can occur.
If this legislation is to be introduced and the commission, which comprises eminent and true citizens, has made the recommendation to the Government that it needs a power that will make all of our lives easier, why will the Government not tell the commission that it should have the power?
I am not aware whether the recommendation was made officially, but if the commission has made it to the Minister for Finance, I am sure he will consider it.
If I could put myself in the position of a Member as distinct from Taoiseach for a minute, why would the commission want this power? Why would the commission want to pick on a Member about whom no complaint has been made? What would the commission be examining? Is it the fact——
The Government has entrusted the commission with onerous responsibilities under existing legislation——
This was a power——
——which it believes it cannot vindicate without listening to extremists.
I am sure the commission will make an argument about that to the Minister, but I just want——
It did, but he turned it down.
For the protection of Members of the House more than anything else, I will make my argument. I cannot see a situation where a Member would be involved in a controversy but no one would make a complaint against him or her. We know what happens. If there is any controversy, people will send in letters that the commission must examine. There would be no lack of such people among the public. If somebody is mentioned in a newspaper, should the commission investigate the matter? Where does it end? I would like to see the argument. We should not start to regulate ourselves into that position. Members are under enough pressure work-wise. I would consider any fair argument.
On something being written about someone in the House, the Deputy and I know that I would keep all of the law offices in town working full-time if I were to correct all of the things written about us that are incorrect. Would they be justification enough for someone to take up the matter and follow it through? If it were the Deputy, me or someone else, I would like to think that there would be justification for the investigation. I would like to see the argument. I could just stand up and say that the commission should make the recommendation to the Department of Finance, but I am not sure. Where will the witch hunts concerning Members start and end in future? People should be careful.
Does the Taoiseach not have confidence in the commission? It is not composed of the type of people who would make a mischievous or frivolous investigation.
Many of the issues raised from time to time are both mischievous and frivolous. I would like to see the counterargument. I do not see where there is a difficulty. Whenever there is a controversy many people write in complaining about this, that and the other. I get letters if a Member from either side of the House does practically anything nonsensical. Much of this is merely jumping on the Members and we should be careful of it. If somebody does something wrong, there is an investigation and that is grand.
However, I would like to see the argument. I have not seen the argument and I cannot think of a situation where there was some issue. I would hate to think there would be somebody every Monday morning in the future going through all 40 of the weekend newspapers to see what letter they would send out to some Member of the House about this, that or the other. If that is the kind of business envisaged, I would be totally against it.
If the commission could convince me that there was a case where some member of the public might be afraid to write into the commission about a complaint, I will listen to that argument.
I just do not see the argument. I see the capacity to be witch hunting Members of this House in the future and, frankly, I have been on the wrong side of that a number of times. We in the House should be careful about the future. I would like to see people make the case.
I set up the Ethics in Public Office Commission. I argued for it. I brought it together. At the time I had many arguments trying to convince others to do it, and that was left out of it. It should not be an extended power. In some of these matters, when we are reviewing it at other times, we should perhaps be looking at limiting it.
When last amending legislation was being considered in this regard, is it the case that it ran into difficulty as the commission had sought from the Government a legal definition of "friend", which was not forthcoming at that time? Given the term "friend" has very much occupied the Taoiseach's thoughts for some considerable time, has he been able to advance the proposition and is the Government now in a position to offer a legal definition of "friend"?
The current ethics legislation does not define "friend". This is the point. In the absence of any clarification in the ethics legislation, the term "friend" would have the meaning normally associated with the word in every day usage and the commission previously commented that this was a complicating factor, and that is why it is an issue that must be dealt with.