Alice-Mary Higgins (Independent) | Oireachtas source

It is about the importance of effectively knowing, where there is a coalition of business interests, all the members of it so we are aware of who we are speaking to, even if the actual member we might speak to may be a voluntary member. That relates to heads 5 and 6. I would love comments on that.

I am also interested in section 22. It seems the Bill will allow for investigation of breaches under that section but will exclude those breaches from the potential offences category. Do either of the witnesses want to comment on how that would be treated under section 22?

On the point of different sensitivities of different laws and the idea of the two-year standard, it was mentioned there are roles that are very significant and have access to, for example, major public expenditure plans or ten-year strategies. Identifying situations where a period longer than two years will be needed was mentioned. That might be very relevant. For example, there may be somebody who is aware of a ten-year Government strategy in an area. There are concerns if that person then moves, after two years, to be a lobbyist for those who will engage with that strategy.

I ask for comments on where an extended cooling-off period may be appropriate, the questions relating to voluntary persons working for bodies but who are representing business interests, the naming of all the members of a business interest coalition, and section 22.