Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)

I made my comments earlier about the receipt of money and I agree with the Senator's sentiments. I will look at it again on Report Stage. In a body like this, where there are fairly major commercial interests, not only is it unseemly but if I were a director I would not accept or become involved. I will look at it again but, in all fairness, this is the standard which has been accepted in previous legislation. However, in the climate of absolute political correctness we cannot accept any gift. This is probably a good thing, not only for politicians but also for agencies. To a certain extent it might be a help not to include it for them as it can be taken to extremes. If someone on a delegation is given across the table a pen with the company's name on it, that would be a gift under the legislation and would have to be declared.

There must be a middle course, although I take the Senator's point with regard to travel, holiday and transport. However, if there was a plane going which was owned by some business person, such as Senator Quinn – I do not know if he owns a plane – and a lift was offered to save someone having to go through the airport, that would be prohibited, which is somewhat unfair. We have to steer a middle course.