Deputies asked to complete statement of their interests

EVERY TD has been asked to complete a statement of registerable interests by the beginning of next month

EVERY TD has been asked to complete a statement of registerable interests by the beginning of next month. The full list will be published at the end of March.

Forms were sent out yesterday by the Clerk of the Dail, Mr Kieran Coughlan, under the Ethics in Public Office Act, 1995, for the period from July 22nd, 1995, to the end of January 1996.

Members, however, are not required to specify the amount or monetary value of any of their business interests.

They have been asked to complete nine sections covering occupational income; shareholdings worth more than £10,000; directorships; interests in land in excess of £10,000; gifts received worth more than £500; property and services worth more than £500; travel facilities provided outside the State by the same person where the commercial price exceeds £500; remunerated positions held as a political or public affairs lobbyist, consultant or adviser; and contracts with a value over £5,000.

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The provision of other information that TDs believe may be relevant is "entirely voluntary".

TDs with occupational incomes outside their political pay have been asked to describe the nature of the trade or profession, but are only required to register if payments exceed £2,000. Details of the actual amount of remuneration are not required.

While the nature of holdings relating to shares, bonds and debentures in any company or enterprise is required, TDs do not have to disclose the actual value of any holding. Nor do they have to provide information on accounts they have in any financial institution.

On directorships, deputies have been asked to say whether this is at chair, executive, non executive or shadow level. They need only provide the name and address of the company and the nature of its business.

The section on land interests includes any contract for the purchase of land, whether or not a deposit or part payment is involved.

Any private residence of a TD or his or her spouse is not required to be disclosed.

Any gifts to a TD "for purely personal reasons" by a relative or friend need not be disclosed unless acceptance of such a present could influence the deputy in his or her functions as a member of the Dail.