Mary Lou McDonald (Dublin Central, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I disagree with the Minister. I do not think a two-year cooling off period is disproportionate, particularly since it does not represent an outright ban on taking up lobbying activities. It simply requires that the persons have clearance to do so. I know we have talked about cooling-off periods before. I think two years is appropriate. It does not represent an outright prohibition on lobbying and much less an outright prohibition on the person's constitutional right to work. It would be wiser to include Deputies, Senators, MEPs and councillors, some of whom might have spent a good portion of their working lives within the democratic institutions.

The Minister spoke about the potential shock to the brand-new councillor; I accept that. However, equally there could be councillors or others who have spent many long years within these institutions and are absolutely networked in in terms of all the movers and shakers, and decision makers. It is a mistake to leave them out and the one-year cooling-off period is too short.