Bertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)

I am not sure what issue the Deputy is referring to, but under the Ethics in Public Office Act and the Standards in Public Office Act, it is a legal obligation of Ministers to comply with both the contract and the form. Whatever about the issue of the parliamentary question to which, I believe, the Deputy is referring, that is set down in law. On the code of conduct, as I informed Deputy Rabbitte, I will provide a note on the changes that have been made.

In many instances, advisers leave their employment — this has happened in Governments over many years — to take up positions they have been offered. There must, of course, be some control and sensitivity in terms of their returning to such employment. As a result of the vagaries of the political system, the majority of people who are obliged to return to their previous employment do not benefit. Some of them lose rank or are sidelined for some time. It is difficult for these people and they take risks in becoming advisers. I accept that people cannot be allowed to work for the Government and then take with them files and records when they leave to make more lucrative lives for themselves. I think that is covered by the codes. By and large, when these people move on they face a difficulty in finding their feet again in new careers.

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