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

I move amendment No. 11:

In page 25, between lines 36 and 37, to insert the following:"(4) Subsection (3)is in addition to, and does not derogate from, a provision of any other enactment requiring a public official to disclose an interest of a kind specified in that other enactment or to take, or refrain from taking, action similar to what a public

official must take, or refrain from taking, under that subsection.

(5) In particular, subsection (3)is in addition to, and does not derogate from, any provision specified in column (4) of the Schedule, at a particular reference number, of the Act of the Oireachtas mentioned in column (3) of the Scheduleat that reference

number.

(6) Section 33(2)makes provision, in a case where it is considered that a provision of an enactment referred to in subsection (4)or (5)has been contravened, for the making of a complaint in respect thereof.".

I will speak on amendments Nos. 11 and 88. Legislation establishing new bodies in the past has included provisions relating to the applications of the Ethics Act. As some of these provisions related to ad hocdisclosures at meetings more onerous than those set out in section 12, I am proposing an amendment on the advice of the Office of the Attorney General which will ensure that public officials concerned would be required to comply with the provisions in section 12 as well as the ad hocdisclosure provisions at meetings in the legislation referring to their own public body. This amendment will also allow the new standards commissioner to investigate a complaint made regarding a contravention of the ethics provisions contained in the existing Acts relating to public bodies as well as under the Bill. Much of this refers to the questions put to me by Deputy Sherlock earlier.