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

I welcome the Ceann Comhairle's confirmation about that. My preference would have been to do it through legislation but I am pleased to hear the Minister's views on this, about which he has been very clear, and the Ceann Comhairle's intention to address it at a meeting of the commission. Ex-Members are quite different from other lobbyists. We need to tighten up on lobbyists generally in regard to access to the Houses, with better recording requirements and so on, but that ex-Members have free access and free rein around the place and throughout the campus is certainly a matter of concern.

In respect of amendment No. 2, if there is a will to require the declaration of receipt of fees or payments, and I think there is a strong case to be made for it, that could be done in a way that would reduce the administrative burden. It could be that exact figures or means of checking would not be needed but rather there could be ranges such that there would be some indication of the level of remuneration a person was getting for the work he or she was doing.

That can range from a small amount to a very large amount but the ranges could be split up within that.

Another potential reason SIPO did not seek it is because it is as stretched for resources as it is. We have heard it call for additional resources on umpteen occasions. So I do not think that should be a reason for not doing what is right around full disclosure. It is regrettable that the Minister has not taken this on board.

My amendment No. 5 was ruled out of order on the grounds that it did not arise on Committee Stage. The indication is that this did arise and therefore I wonder why I have been ruled out of order.

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