Ms Sherry Perreault:

Access to Leinster House and the parliamentary precincts is a matter for the Oireachtas. Under the current legislation, there are no post-employment restrictions for Members of the Oireachtas in the Dáil or Seanad Éireann unless they are officeholders. Certain designated public officials are subject to post-employment cooling-off provisions under current legislation, including Ministers, Ministers of State, ministerial advisers and senior civil servants. Members who are not officeholders are not subject to those restrictions. Regardless of the access issue which is one for the Oireachtas and Leinster House, what the Deputy is proposing in regard to the extension of the provisions to TDs and Senators who are not officeholders would require further amendment to the legislation.