Malcolm Noonan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Green Party) | Oireachtas source

Again, I thank Senators for the proposed amendment, which would require that the commission would lay a record of all contracts for consultants or advisers before both Houses of the Oireachtas on a biannual basis. Appendix B5 of the Code of Practice for the Governance of State Bodies - Business and Financial Reporting Requirements, requires that expenditure by public bodies on external consultancy and advisory services be set out as part of their annual report. Given that the commission is required to lay its annual report before both Houses of the Oireachtas under section 26, I am of the view that the Bill as it stands has regard to the aims of this proposed amendment. As such, I do not intend to take the amendment on board.