Tom Parlon (Laois-Offaly, Progressive Democrats)

Under provisions elsewhere in the Bill the commission is to be endowed with authority subject to authorisation by one or both Houses to defend proceedings taken against Members. The purpose of this amendment is the narrower one of giving the commission the powers now held by the Minister for Finance in one Act, that is, the Oireachtas (Miscellaneous Provisions) and Ministerial and Parliamentary Offices (Amendment ) Act 1996, to deal with proceedings taken against a Member or a parliamentary party by a secreterial assistant employed by that Member or party in respect of a personal injury sustained in the course of the assistant's employment. This measure was introduced in 1996 when a Deputy was sued in such circumstances and it was found that she would be personally liable unless there were legal authority for the State to give financial support for legal costs and any damages awarded. Few such cases have arisen since.

In essence, the commission will have the power to recoup in whole or in part to such a Member or party any award or settlement, together with the costs incurred. Needless to say, that facility can only be provided in instances where the person in question sustained the injury in the course of employment as a secretarial assistant by a Member of either House of the Oireachtas or by a registered political party and is paid by the Oireachtas Commission.

Amendment agreed to.