Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I refer Senator van Turnhout to section 39(1) which deals not with gifts to individuals but to the agency. A gift to the agency could, for example, be a property in which to run a service or one from a philanthropic organisation. The Bill clearly states that any such gift should not be inconsistent with the functions of the agency or its obligations under the legislation. It also sets out clear guidelines regarding the behaviour of individual members. It would be good practice that gifts be declared, although I would not limit declarations in this regard to the annual report. It should be information which the Minister can request. While such declarations should be made in the annual report, acceptance of the amendment would limit them to being made only in the annual report. The Bill provides the Minister with the power to give directions and, as such, he or she has the authority to request a full report where any concern arises.

Taking the spirit in which the Senator has put forward this amendment, I will give a direction that gifts be disclosed on an ongoing basis and captured in the annual report, while retaining the power that where concern arises, the Minister may request a report.