Thomas Byrne (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

In terms of their actions, they would be subject to FOI legislation if they were working in a different Department, but I would like to see the scope being broadened to some extent. We are not looking for information on the President's affairs. We are not looking for information on his business, as Head of State, with other Heads of State, meetings with the Taoiseach or any of these functions. However, the Office of the President should be subject to some level of scrutiny.

On the NTMA, I urge the Minister not to just listen to the Minister for Finance but to talk to some of the stockbroking firms around town that have lost staff to the NTMA. They have told me that the reason they have lost staff is that it pays higher wages. I accept the point that things might change, but I was told about the higher wages paid when we met various interest groups around town. The Minister should make a few more telephone calls on the matter before making his final decision.