As this is a Report Stage amendment, Members may speak only once.
Standards in Public Office Bill, 2000: Report and Final Stages.
Government amendment No. 1:
In page 4, line 40, to delete "5" and substitute "6".
This amendment corrects a typographical error.
Amendment agreed to.
Bill, as amended, received for final consideration.
Question proposed: "That the Bill do now pass."
Mr. Ryan
I recognise the enormous work that Members of both Houses have put into Committee Stage of the Bill. Now that we have put together a significant body of legislation to deal with ethics in the public sector, we could perhaps direct our attention to ethics in the business sector. The business sector has a long way to go before it emulates the standards now being set in the public sector. There is a level of murkiness, a lack of accountability and a lack transparency in the business sector which is wrong for shareholders, customers and society.
I thank the Minister of State for taking all Stages. I hope the legislation we have passed will give people, especially our young people, a renewed confidence in the political system.
I thank Senators for their help and co-operation with the passage of the Bill, as well as for all the work they were involved in prior to its publication. I echo the words of Senator Joe Doyle – we have made much progress in this type of legislation. The Bill is another strong addition to the corpus of legislation restoring public confidence in standards in public office.
Question put and agreed to.
Sitting suspended at 2.50 p.m. and resumed at 6 p.m.