Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)

The Taoiseach should send out an instruction to his Ministers and Ministers of State to be very careful about what they receive as gifts for duties they perform in respect of their Departments. The Taoiseach is probably aware of one former Minister who had to have the attic in his house strengthened to hold all the gifts which were awarded to him over the years. I am sure he knows the person of whom I am speaking. I am making the point that it is in the interests of all members of the Cabinet and Ministers of State that the situation be regularised, because if the Minister of State, Deputy Cullen, receives a crystal globe for something he does in County Leitrim, what is it worth? He has to declare it.

He should instruct the Minister of State, Deputy Carey, to bring the Bill before the House. He is the Government Chief Whip. I heard him speak eloquently on the radio the other night, when he said his main priority was to get the legislative list right. He gave an eloquent description of what the Government has to do. I suggest the Taoiseach bring this Bill, which was debated in the Seanad two years ago, before the House and let us amend it to a point where no Minister or Minister of State can ever be accused in any circumstances, under the declaration of this Bill, of being put on the spot. I am not suggesting anybody is.

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