Trevor Sargent (Dublin North, Green Party)

Does the Taoiseach believe there is a need for more than guidelines to govern circumstances where advisers leave the service of the Government and effectively make use of that period as a lucrative training ground in pursuing a career in the private sector in lobbying, press relations or some other area? Is it satisfactory that we are operating on the basis of what appear to be voluntary guidelines? Will the Taoiseach clarify what he means by guidelines in that regard?

The Taoiseach replied on the code of conduct that obtains in respect of standards in public office etc. As regards the provision of information, he stated that there is an obligation on every member of the Cabinet to be open about the identity of advisers, the amount of money these people earn and so on. Will he indicate whether that is understood by every member of the Cabinet in light of the fact that the Tánaiste appears not to understand it?

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