Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour) | Oireachtas source

The people's business should be done in public; people have a right to know who is influencing public policy and making decisions in that regard. We held an interesting seminar when I published the Bills earlier this year and there was a good dialogue. I realise that many lobby groups, including the IFA and others, have concerns. Those engaged in legitimate lobbying should have nothing to fear; it is those who engage in unknown lobbying that influences public policy behind closed doors or whisper into the ears of Ministers we wish to get at. I look forward to the debate on that issue also. Taken together, these measures represent the most fundamental reform platform and significant advancement in the pursuit of transparency and accountability in a long time.

My overall message is that good progress is being made on reducing public expenditure and restoring Ireland to economic health. Similarly, we are progressing well on the implementation of our ambitious programmes for public service and political reform. However, the pace of implementation in every area needs to be stepped up. Big challenges face us. Public servants will have to be part of the solutions to those challenges. I am confident they will be and that they will step up to the mark as they have done in the past. We have the foundations in place, and we must push on with implementing the reform programme. We must achieve our fiscal requirements and reform the structures of the State in a way that enables us to build a positive environment for enterprise and employment, for job creation and growth. We must also ensure we build a society that takes care of the vulnerable and provides equal opportunities for growth and development for all citizens. This will not be easy task but the Government is committed to reform, which is why we have created a bespoke Department for reform. We are committed to rebuilding our country in the coming years. I look forward to hearing the views of the House and responding to the concerns, observations and questions of Members.