Derek McDowell (Labour)

It may be defined in the Standards in Public Office Act 2000 but it is not defined in this legislation. The amendment is sensible. It is appropriate that, since these individuals will be holding public offices, their declarations of interest should be made to the commission and, on that basis, I support the amendment.

When the Ethics in Public Office Act 1995 was going through the Oireachtas, there was a good deal of debate about the level of declaration that would be required of different office holders. As Senator Mansergh will be well aware, the declaration required differs between special advisers, Ministers, Deputies, Senators, other office holders and so on. The section provides the Minister rather than the commission with total discretion to decide the declaration of interest required, which is inappropriate, given that no definition is provided. Assuming the Minister of State will not change his mind on this matter, what level of declaration will be required? For example, there is a requirement on Ministers to declare property or interests of their spouses. Will this be extended to commissioners? What will commissioners be required to declare?