Tánaiste Brian Cowen said an ethics Bill agreed between his predecessor Michael McDowell and Taoiseach Bertie Ahern could be introduced in the Dáil during the current session.
He was replying to Labour leader Eamon Gilmore, who said the Ethics in Public Office Bill was announced in October 2006 following the revelations about Mr Ahern's finances at that time. It provided for an arrangement whereby if an Oireachtas member were to get a gift or a loan, they would seek an opinion from the Standards in Public Office Commission before accepting it, he added. The Bill completed all stages in the Seanad in July, but it was never presented to the Dáil.
"The Bill is sponsored by the Tánaiste's department. In the absence of other legislation this week I was surprised that the Bill was not presented to the House.
"When does the Tánaiste intend to take the second stage of that Bill in this House?," asked Mr Gilmore. Mr Cowen said the Bill could be taken in the current session with the agreement of the party whips in due course.
Mr Gilmore asked if Mr Cowen had pressed for Government time to present his Bill to the House.
Mr Cowen said that any time the Government Chief Whip wished to take the Bill in the House, he would facilitate it. He added that he had been considering amendments.
Mr Gilmore said: "The Bill has been through the Seanad already and the Tánaiste now says there will be Government amendments to it. This is the first we have heard of the Government amending this legislation. What amendments are we discussing? Are they technical amendments or do they contain substantive issues?"
Mr Cowen replied: "I am simply saying the Bill can be brought forward.
"If amendments are to be brought forward I will bring them forward and it is a matter for the whips to decide when the Bill is taken."
