Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Social Democrats) | Oireachtas source

I move amendment No. 2:

In page 6, between lines 11 and 12, to insert the following: “(b) in subsection (4), the insertion of the following paragraph after paragraph (a):

“(aa) where any of the communications concerned were made on behalf of a client, details of payments received or fees charged,”,”.

First, there are issues about Members who want to contribute to a debate and contribute to legislation and who may not be a member of the relevant committee. This is especially the case for those of us who represent small parties, when it is not possible to attend a committee meeting. I will pursue this further. I raised a number of issues of concern on Second Stage but I did not have the opportunity to attend Committee Stage. I want to pursue those issues by way of Report Stage amendments. There is a problem when we are precluded from doing that. I tabled five amendments, although three of them were ruled out of order, two on the basis that they did not arise on Committee Stage. I understand that at least one of them arose on Committee Stage, but it was raised by another Member. That is a problem. The other amendment related to the usual issue of a charge on the Exchequer.

On amendment No. 2, I am concerned about how lobbying operates so much in the shadows and how there is such a lack of transparency about how it operates, particularly in a small country. I have spoken previously on this and tabled an amendment today about the issue of former Members of the House, in particular former Ministers, who have good connections in the House, having free reign within the Oireachtas complex and, therefore, having free access to Ministers and members of the Government. Indeed, that access can be around the corridors, in the restaurant or in the bar. That whole area is not adequately regulated. It exposes us to a huge potential for charges that business is not being done properly. There is no doubt that is the case.

I referenced an experience I had where a Bill was going through the House late one night. People were going in and out of the bar and were waiting for amendments to be taken. A former Member of the House, who was a lobbyist in relation to that particular Bill, was getting drinks, having pints with people and that kind of thing. Really, that should not be acceptable. It is regrettable that the Minister for Finance did not take that issue on. I will have to pursue it through other means, and potentially through the Ceann Comhairle. It is a huge gap in the regulation.

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