Shane Ross (Independent)

—-and issues which are of such vital national importance and sensitivity that it is necessary to draw a line with regard to them. There should no longer be any mystique about what happens at Cabinet and politicians should not be ashamed of their views.

An example of the culture of secrecy in our society is the extraordinary aura that still attaches to judges. Oireachtas Members must openly declare their interests, which is a bit awkward, inconvenient and something we would rather not do. However, judges, for some reason, are shrouded in secrecy and do not have to declare their interests – despite having vast interests – because they are civil servants. Top civil servants do not come under the same open rules as do Members.