Tommy Broughan (Dublin North East, Labour)

I move amendment No. 62:

In page 17, between lines 25 and 26, to insert the following:

"(3) A code of conduct drawn up under this section shall require records of interests of persons to whom the code applies, and records of conflict of interest, to be maintained and to be opened to public scrutiny during office hours.".

The amendment relates to section 25, which deals with a code of conduct for the agency. The section provides for proper standards of integrity, conduct and concern for the public interest to be maintained by a person while performing functions as a director of the agency, a member of a committee of the agency, chief executive, a consultant or adviser employed by the agency or an employee. The second also provides that the agency should publish the code of conduct. The Minister should go a step further and specify that the code of conduct must "require records of interests of persons to whom the code applies, and records of conflict of interest, to be maintained and to be opened to public scrutiny during office hours".

I tabled the amendment in the interest of transparency and to prevent conflicts of interest. Membership of the board requires experience and expertise in the oil distribution business. Board members will have contacts within the industry and the code of conduct sets out how conflicts of interest could be avoided. The Minister may say in reply that the code will entail records being kept, but that should be specified in the legislation to be absolutely sure. For example, a register of Members' interests is maintained in the office of the Clerk of the Dáil and by the Standards in Public Office Commission. The same standards should be expected of other public servants such as those who will run the agency on a statutory basis. I ask the Minister to accept the amendment.

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