Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)

The Standards in Public Office Commission, which sets out the code of conduct for officeholders, does not apply the question of filling forms for the supply of a property or a service, made during the course of such a supply for the purpose of the performance of the duties of an officeholder. The Standards in Public Office Commission has drawn up the guidelines, and we should abide by them. The office is doing this in compliance with the legislation. I do not have a problem with whatever guidelines we are asked to comply with. In this case, the office has indicated its view on the matter and we should deal with the issues that are specific to what the legislation was set up to address, rather than trying to deal with every issue related to the performance of people's duties on a daily basis.

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