Martin Conway (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

If this engagement achieves nothing else but respect for the fact that people who are elected to public office have a mandate, and the confidence and support of the public who elect them, it will be a good thing. Let me outline why section 40 was brought in. I lobbied significantly for the section. When one peruses the record of the House one will see the engagements and contributions on both Committee and Report Stages. The work was done because we are in a situation in this country where politicians receive thousands of representations on specific issues whether it is social welfare, health, education and so on and I really do believe that the commission has a job of work to do. If this engagement achieves nothing else but re-establishes respect for public representatives among public bodies then it will be a good engagement.