Paul Coghlan (Fine Gael)

I strongly support my colleague, Senator Brian Hayes, in his request for clarification from the Leader regarding the appropriateness or otherwise of a Minister meeting someone who is a witness or is due to be a witness before a tribunal. I am aware that Ministers are subject to somewhat more strict guidelines than other Members of the Oireachtas. While all Members are subject to the ethics legislation, I understand that Ministers are also subject to something known as the Cabinet Handbook. Obviously, I am not familiar with the guidelines. However, I take it that greater restrictions are imposed on Ministers.

While I accept Senator Mansergh's point, Senator Brian Hayes's point made a distinction, in that it pertained to dealing with a person who was to be a witness before a tribunal.

As Senator Brian Hayes noted, this is a question of appropriateness. I recently saw another Minister behave most correctly when some people raised matters of serious concern with him. He had a notetaker and he made a decision as to how he would refer it and deal with the matter. Everything was minuted.

I wish to expand this point slightly. I ask the Leader——