Feargal Quinn (Independent)

I accept the Minister is trying to be as helpful as he can. Amendment No. 4 uses the word "includes". It does not stipulate that the agency must do that. "Includes" could refer to print, radio or many other things and it will not be possible to take a case against this body if it published in paper form rather than on the Internet in the hopes that it would be seen in that medium, but not otherwise. We have to compel and insist.

I accept the use of the word "publication" in amendment No. 4 in terms of what is included, which is everything. What the agency must do, however, is not specified. As Senator Ryan has said, this agency should lead the way because this is how communication will take place in the future. The younger generation does not buy Iris Oifigiúil because it does not seek information in that way. It communicates on the Internet which is a much simpler way. We should insist on online publication and using the words "publication shall include" enables that to happen rather than compels it.

If the Minister is not willing to accept the amendment in terms of those publications, he should accept amendment No. 35. It will be high profile because it relates to gifts. I seek to provide that instead of requiring the publishing of particulars of gifts accepted under this section in the annual report, page 20, line 30, after "shall be" should read "published by electronic means by the Agency as soon as may be after the gift is accepted, and shall also be published in the annual report." The annual report will not be published for three or four months after the end of the year and if a gift is given in January of the previous year it is essential that the knowledge be available then, not 15 to 17 months later. The onus should be placed on the agency to publish electronically at that point. The Minister is saying the agency can publish the information in the annual report.

I am making a case for amendment No. 35 rather than for the others and I accept reluctantly that the Minister is of the opinion that amendment No. 4 will cover all of those. If the Minister accepted amendment No. 35 we would recognise that his intention in this regard was copperfastened, not just placed with the others.