Mary Lou McDonald (Dublin Central, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I move amendment No. 22:

In page 7, to delete lines 26 and 27.

This relates to a discussion we had on Committee Stage. Despite our discussion, I remain to be convinced that lobbying communications as defined in the proposed statute could pose a threat to personal safety or the security of the State and, if they did, that the public interest would be best served by keeping them secret. I do not believe the Minister has given a really persuasive explanation for that.

He has powers within the legislation under sections 5(4) and 5(7) to accept any specific communications with designated public officials with respect to relevant matters, taking account of the public interest. Of course, the security of the State or the personal safety of anyone would be a matter of public interest. I am not convinced this should be in the legislation but I will not press the amendments because I have a sense that it will not get me very far.

In respect of the review after 12 months, I suggest to the Minister that this is another element on which we should keep a watching brief.

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