Mairead Farrell (Galway West, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I agree that the enforcement of the contravention is key. That will, hopefully, stop people ignoring the timeline of one or two years depending on what is decided. While I agree with the Minister that people have to be able to earn a living afterwards, we need to be very clear that we are shutting the revolving door that is perceived out there between politics and big business. That is, unfortunately, an attitude people have towards politics. We cannot have a situation where former politicians or others are able to trade influence one year after they have left office. That is the purpose of the forthcoming Bill. The Minister has agreed that the existing Act needs to be updated. It is important to restore public confidence in public and political life.

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