Trevor Sargent (Dublin North, Green Party)

The Taoiseach said that if a Minister were found to be doing something for any commercial reason, even if it was on behalf of a friend and not himself, it would not be acceptable. Given that the Taoiseach has stated he has no plans to amend the code of conduct, is it necessary to clarify the situation, if a Minister or a Minister of State feels it is not a problem to endorse a product? Is the Taoiseach aware that the British Committee on Standards in Public Life established a similar code of conduct, the Seven Principles of Public Life? The first principle entitled "Selflessness" states:

Holders of public office should act solely in terms of the public interest. They should not do so in order to gain financial or other benefits for themselves, their family or their friends.

Does the Taoiseach therefore need to clarify the code of conduct more specifically to cover such an eventuality? Given that the commission can make a finding but cannot impose a sanction, what sanction would he envisage for a Minister or Minister of State found to be——

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