Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)

Amendments Nos. 1 and 3 in the name of Senator Mac Conghail and others deal with the same related matter. Amendment No. 1 is a technical amendment to facilitate the insertion of the new Part X into the Electoral Act 1997, which is then provided for in amendment No. 3. A new Part X is proposed for insertion into the 1997 Act after the new Part IX, which section 27 of the Bill is inserting to provide for the disclosure of accounts by political parties. The purpose of the amendment is to require that Independent Members of the Oireachtas keep accounts for all payments other than the salary they receive arising out of the public execution of their duties.

I agree with the broad principle that has been expressed here. The issue was raised by Senators Mac Conghail, van Turnhout and others on Committee Stage. I agree with the concept of bringing greater transparency and accountability to payments made to Independent Members of the Houses, but I cannot deal with a perception in this respect, much and all as Senator Mac Conghail indicates that there is a perception about this, in that the position must be legally sound. The Report Stage amendment he submitted does not refer to the appropriate Bill, and penalties for non-compliance were not included as part of the amendment. I have no difficulty about the spirit of what the Senator is seeking to do. These matters will be addressed and the Senator will not have to wait too long for that. Arrangements in respect of the payment of the party leader's allowance are made under different legislation, namely, the Oireachtas (Ministerial and Parliamentary Offices) (Amendment) Act 2001. While I acknowledge it shows some ingenuity to bring this forward through this methodology, I assure Members that the Minister, Deputy Howlin, is contemplating changes in the very near future. I expect that proposals will be passed to Government in a matter of weeks regarding new arrangements in the spirit of what Senator Mac Conghail is seeking to enshrine in this legislation.