Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)

I move amendment No. 3:

In page 5, line 2, after "Commission" to insert the following:

"and both the Dáil and Seanad Committees on Procedure and Privileges".

Despite what I said earlier with regard to the duplication of committees, etc., one of the difficulties which arises is that the Committees on Procedure and Privileges of both the Dáil and Seanad have a role to play with regard to oversight in terms of privileges, codes of conduct and so on in the Houses. Members of the Houses sit on these committees. The committees have built up expertise over a period of many years and the amendment suggests that they, in conjunction with the Standards in Public Office Commission, should also be consulted. This will ensure that the code of conduct will take cognisance of some of the discussions in which the Committees on Procedure and Privileges are currently involved in order that conflicts of interest will not arise and that we do not publish something which we will be obliged to overturn after a short period.

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