Seanad debates

Wednesday, 28 May 2003

Companies (Auditing and Accounting) Bill 2003: Committee Stage.

 

I do not know how to define "public interest" because it changes over time. The tribunals brought up matters of public interest which were also interesting to the public, and everybody was confused as to which definition they were talking about. All Members know what we mean by "public interest", though it is like the old saying, " I couldn't describe it to you but I will know it when I see it." I accept that is not a very objective way of doing business but it is, of its nature, subjective. I do not know if we can come up with words to describe the public interest, which means it may be possible for somebody to define "public interest" as something which is not in the public interest. That is the issue which has been raised and I cannot answer it. We will have to rely on the good sense of the people sitting around the table, although I am not sure that is possible.

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