Sean Barrett (Independent)

I request that the Leader address the issue of what the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, Deputy Howlin, refers to as "regulatory capture" or "downtown office syndrome". We are approaching the third anniversary of the day on which representatives from the banks went into the Department of Finance and effectively bankrupted the country. As a share of GDP, Ireland provides the world's leading example of this type of extra-parliamentary activity. The growth in the power of lobbyists outside Parliament to influence politicians is a matter of great concern to those in the US and UK legislatures and the European Parliament. As our sad case illustrates, these individuals have an ability to gain direct access to Departments and walk away with virtually unlimited amounts of money.

Will the Leader discuss with the Cathaoirleach and the Ceann Comhairle the possibility that it should be compulsory for Departments of State to license the activities of lobbyists and pressure groups? A register of such lobbyist and pressure groups should be supplied to Parliament in order that we might know what is happening and who is trying to bypass us in the decision-making process. The undermining of parliamentary democracy must be addressed by us in this House. I ask the Leader to raise this matter with his colleagues in Government. Parliament should know what Departments are up to, particularly when Parliament is not sitting. We still do not know the full facts regarding the bank rescue of 29 and 30 September 2008.