Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour) | Oireachtas source

I have already indicated to Deputies that if the Bill is to be fully effective, it must strike the right balance between imposing new transparency requirements which we are setting out and ensuring ongoing and vital communications with all organs of the State continue. This set of provisions relates to working groups, task forces, cross-sectoral committees, etc. established by a Minister or a public body, the membership of which includes designated public officials and persons outside the public service. The purpose of the exemption is to lessen the administrative burden on registrants who are members of groups appointed by Ministers and to ensure persons outside the public service are not deterred from participating in such groups.

The transparency objective of the Bill will continue to be met. These groups will be subject to a transparency code to be prepared and set out by my Department. I would envisage, for example, that such a code might require the publication of the membership of the groups, agendas and minutes of meetings, among other issues. I do not propose, therefore, to accept the Deputy’s amendment.