Alice-Mary Higgins (Independent) | Oireachtas source

The amendment inserts a new subsection in, section 15 which requires that where the commission would enter into contracts or appoint persons as consultants or advisers, a record of such contracts and consultations would be kept and laid before both Houses of the Oireachtas on a biannual basis.

The amendment is about transparency. When the body responsible for elections and referendums in a country enters into contracts or appoints advisers, it is important that a proper record of this be kept and deposited with the Oireachtas and remains available in that way. We are very luck to live in a country where people have a relatively high degree of faith in the electoral process. Part of ensuring we keep that degree of faith, however, is ensuring there is complete transparency and accountability at every level in our democratic process.

The Minister of State will be aware that I have sought similar transparency measures in other legislation. We know that the level to which consultants and advisers are relied on and used has increased in public bodies and, to a large degree, statutory bodies. It is very important that transparency measures would apply to the use of such consultants and advisers, which is why I am seeking to place it here. The Minister of State will also be aware that is consistent with similar principles I have enunciated with regard to other legislation.