David Norris (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I move amendment No. 47:

In page 24, after line 26, to insert the following:"27.In any meetings between lobbyists and Ministers/Officials it shall be required that detailed minutes be kept of the content of the discussion of the meetings.".

As I understand it, as it stands the Bill just registers the fact of lobbying. It would be important that we know the content of such lobbying, particularly in terms of very large companies which have an interest. Rather than just registering the fact that they have lobbied a Minister, it would be important for the public to know the lines of that lobbying and what facts were produced so the issues can be discussed.

At that level it is a question of issues, rather than just the fact that a lobbying meeting was held. Everybody would like to know exactly what went on. I remember Senator Crown mentioning publicly that the Taoiseach and a Minister or two had met a delegation from the tobacco industry. He thought it was very unusual that this was done privately. In those circumstances it would be important for people to know what was said and the subject matter of the discussion. A register just lists the fact that a meeting took place. I do not think that is enough. We need to know the degrees of pressure brought to bear on Government. Was there any kind of bullying, blackmail or threat, or anything like that? If such things happen, I think the public should know.