Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour) | Oireachtas source

Section 5(3)(l) provides an exemption for certain communications between a body and a Minister who holds shares in that body, as I have just debated with Deputy Sean Fleming. This exemption is intended to cover governance matters in the ordinary course of business of a commercial semi-State body. Commercial semi-State bodies are of strategic importance and we have debated them in the context of the transparency legislation I have brought before the House. Deputies know that I am committed to preserving the semi-State sector as a viable actor in our commercial structures. The ability of a Minister or parent Department to engage with such bodies as shareholder is essential. We need to have the appropriate balance between strengthening transparency and avoiding the danger of diminution of effective governance of a body by the shareholder who ultimately is the taxpayer. Section 5(3)(l) seeks to ensure this balance between the need for increased transparency and the requirement to continue to engage in ongoing and normal governance by the shareholder of a semi-State entity.