Jonathan O'Brien (Cork North Central, Sinn Fein)

What my colleagues and I have to say makes a great deal more sense than much of what we hear from the Minister.

We have had statements from three Ministers today outlining the Government's response to the recommendations in the Mahon tribunal report. We certainly welcome some of the initiatives which have been undertaken. The Minister, Deputy Howlin, spoke about the register of lobbyists legislation, which will go to the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform. We spoke about the whistleblower legislation, the money laundering legislation and ethics in public life and what the Government proposes to do to improve the legislation. It is important that we do so, not only because it is badly needed but because politics has been damaged by what has been found by the Mahon tribunal. It is incumbent on all of us - those who are members of any political party and those who are not attached to a party - to ensure we never allow circumstances to exist in which people get involved in politics for the wrong reasons, not in the interest of the public good but because of self-interest and financial gain.

The Minister stated that three of the 64 recommendations would not be acted on. He did not say why that is the case and I would be interested in having a discussion on that at a later date. The Minister referred earlier to the electoral Bill and the inclusion of a number of recommendations in that legislation. The Minister for Justice and Equality has already done some work on the whistleblower legislation and there is further work to be done by the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform on that. The whole process of the publication of the heads of important legislation is constructive and allows us to obtain a wider opinion on Bills; it allows committees - be it the justice or finance committee - to invite interested parties to outline their opinions, which makes for better legislation.

In spite of our political differences with the Government parties, Sinn Féin will not be found wanting in its support for any legislation that cleans up politics and ensures that the type of behaviour uncovered in the Mahon tribunal never recurs. We are honoured to represent our constituents and I feel privileged to be in this Chamber and to have the ability to effect change. I find it difficult to believe that some people abuse that power. It has happened and it will happen again unless we put in place the necessary ethics and other legislation to ensure proper standards in public office. If we do not put that on the Statute Book, we too will be guilty of allowing such practices to occur in future.

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