Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

On the first question, the reason for that is that we are more compliant with what we believe to be international best practice the area. We have looked at work that has been done elsewhere, in particular work has been done by the OECD and the World Bank and they have looked at what best practice is in other jurisdictions. We have based our thinking in this area on what they have said that best practice is. That is why we are looking to vest it in a single individual. To help the committee, I can supply some of the information regarding what best practice looks like in other jurisdictions in advance of Report Stage.

On the Chairman's point about the role of councillors, we have consulted with the Department of Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government. It is very supportive of what we are doing in seeking to implement a report which includes many of the recommendations of the Mahon tribunal. To deal directly with the Chairman's point about the number of forms that can be generated, most of the time our colleagues in the Standards in Public Office Commission try to help colleagues to make sure forms are filled in and all their duties are discharged accurately. There is a section later on in this Bill that requires a period of consultation with key stakeholders on the development of a code of practice. That is the way an issue like that could be dealt with.