Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)

Yes. Some months would be a fair assessment as people should not be denied the opportunity to make a livelihood having retired and given loyal service to the State. It is not appropriate for us to suggest, for some reason, a contamination-free zone. It is about simply providing some reassurance that there is a time period in which people can reorganise their lives and move on to something else. I am aware that most civil servants instinctively seek the views of their colleagues, on an informal basis, when they are approached to join the board of a company. This measure will formalise the arrangements and methodologies which, while not in place on a de facto basis, are used in some cases. During my period of service, I have come across just a couple of cases in which inquiries have had to be made to ascertain what would help to avoid any semblance of controversy when a person was being appointed. I do not think one should be disbarred from taking up a position for any more than some months. It may not be possible to enforce a law setting out the areas of activity to which somebody who has retired from service may contribute, whether for monetary compensation or in a voluntary capacity. I do not think it would be practical. We need to ensure that people cannot move into such positions immediately or within a week or two.

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