Pat Rabbitte (Dublin South West, Labour)

I agree with Deputy Collins that we traced the issue of the pensions previously. We can be proud of the progress made in the two companies concerned on the pension issue because pensions generally have been affected right across the economy, defined benefit pension schemes in particular. The agreements entered into are landmark agreements that might well be replicated elsewhere. That is very positive.

As regards the regulation of lobbyists, I agree with Deputy Collins that it is desirable. It is the nature of modern politics imported from the United States that one could get knocked down at the gate by lobbyists coming at one on behalf of their clients for access in various ways. I do not have any particular objection to companies using PR people to make such representations so long as - as Deputy Collins said - it is transparent. In many cases I do not understand why the companies themselves do not do the task rather than employ people to do it on their behalf, but that is a matter entirely for them.

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