Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour) | Oireachtas source

I was asked that question here on Thursday last when I stated clearly that I believe Mr. Flannery should attend before the Committee of Public Accounts. I have seen the letter the clerk to the committee wrote to the chief executive of the Rehab group. The letter was issued yesterday and names a number of people, including Mr. Flannery, whom the committee wishes to interview. I believe that all those whom the committee wishes to interview should appear before it.

Lobbying is part of our democratic system and people have a right to lobby. However, we need to have transparency around lobbying. The Government has been preparing legislation to provide for a regime whereby there will be a register of lobbyists. Under the proposed legislation, professional lobbyists engaged in formal lobbying will be required to register. There will also be a requirement to record the lobbying that takes place. In other words, the public will know who is lobbying whom and for what. That legislation is at an advanced stage of preparation.

The general scheme of the Bill was submitted for pre-legislative scrutiny by the Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and its report has now been received. The drafting of the Bill is proceeding and the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, Deputy Howlin, plans to present the Bill to the Houses of the Oireachtas early in the second quarter of this year. When that Bill is enacted we will have a register of lobbyists and a transparent lobbying regime.

As regards Mr. Flannery's position as chairman of the Forum on Philanthropy, it is my understanding that he is stepping down from that position.

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