David Norris (Independent)

Senator Coghlan has been absolutely clear about it. Section 221(3)(b) refers to a situation where the communication is made "without an intention to benefit, or confer an advantage on, any specific person" and section 221(3)(c) refers to where the communication "is made in the public interest".

Most of the Members who spoke on this issue are present again today, although one Member on the Government side who spoke is not here. I indicated there is a specific case for each provision included. Why not? They are all covered and protected. I would hate to see us adopt the model of professional lobbying that exists in the United States, whereby large multinational corporations lobby extensively. Consider what has happened to President Obama's health Bill. Events unfolded as they did in this regard because corrupt corporations are spending millions of dollars lobbying politicians. There are people at Capitol Hill who do nothing else, which is obscene. Providing information and making attempts to represent the interests of one's constituents, save jobs and create employment in one's constituency are marvellous and to be applauded. When this is done in the public forum of the Oireachtas, there is nothing underhand about it. It is about time we had lobbying legislation.

It is a pity our legislative provision on lobbying extends only to one section of the National Asset Management Agency Bill 2009. I hope the Government will consider introducing full legislation on lobbying, not with a view to outlawing it completely but to ensuring it is above board, can be held up to scrutiny and is carried out honestly and fairly. I am all in favour of that.