Thomas Byrne (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I accept, to some extent, the practical difficulties mentioned by the Minister. This is a real issue. There are groups of politicians who go abroad to meet people from companies coming to Ireland. Sometimes there are issues of land and other times there are other relevant policy issues. On the other side, one might be on holidays and just bump into somebody. Perhaps there is a practical solution that could come from the Department or the Oireachtas. One solution may be to make some requirement when an official delegation goes abroad that a designated official would be tasked with recording any lobbying. That might not be perfect.