Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)

We have had some discussion about this in the recent past. Paragraph 2.2.8 of the code of conduct for office holders states:

Office holders should be particularly sensitive of acceptance of gifts or hospitality from friends, or connected persons, as defined in the 1995 Act, where such persons have, or are likely to obtain, a benefit or suffer a loss arising from a decision made, or to be made, by an office holder or by the Government, of which the office holder is aware.

The Taoiseach has stated the legislation cobbled together by him and the Tánaiste will be brought forward by the Minister for Finance shortly. When is that likely to appear? Will the legislation on the code of conduct for office holders include proposals to change the code to allow Ministers or Ministers of State to declare themselves as acting in a personal capacity, as distinct from a ministerial capacity, in order to receive gifts, loans or whatever and that they will not feel compromised as a consequence?

See this speech in context