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

I move amendment No. 32:

In page 9, to delete lines 4 and 5.

Of all the amendments I have tabled, this is the one that is most important. I propose to delete the following words: "apart from any matter relating only to the implementation of any such policy, programme, enactment or award or of a technical nature." Any communication up to implementation point can be regarded as lobbying, but thereafter, the legislation does not capture any of the communications. That is very worrying. Implementation is a crucial stage of public policy. As we know, it can be the difference between success and failure and the overall character and impact of any public policy. The implementation stage, however one regards that, is probably the time at which contracts are agreed or signed, resources are allocated and money changes hands. I see absolutely no reason to exempt that phase of deliberation of policy-making and that dynamic from the legislation - in fact, I regard it as quite a dangerous thing to do.

As the Minister knows, I raised this with him on Committee Stage. I said at that time that I regarded it as a very large and dangerous loophole in the law. That remains my position and that is why I have tabled the amendment again at this stage.

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