Coimisiún Thithe an Oireachtais Houses of the Commission Eighth meeting – Special meeting Wednesday 2nd May, 2007 at 2 p.m. Room 2, Leinster House Minutes of the meeting 1. Members present

Dr. Rory O’Hanlon, T.D., Ceann Comhairle (Chairperson), Kieran Coughlan, Secretary General, Minister of State Brian Lenihan1 and Senator Joe O’Toole.

Apologies were received from the of the Seanad, Senator Rory Kiely and Senators Ulick Burke and Martin Mansergh2.

2. Use of services and facilities provided out of public funds following a dissolution of Dáil Éireann – guidelines under section 4(4A) of the Houses of the Oireachtas Commission Acts 2003 and 2006

The Commission had before it for consideration:

(1) a memorandum [8-1-07] detailing supplementary charges in respect of –

a) equipment removal costs from Leinster House to constituency/home offices; and

b) call forwarding costs from Leinster House.

These charges had already been notified to all members of the Houses of the Oireachtas in a memorandum from the Secretary General dated 5th April, 2007, and were now being submitted to the Commission under section 4(4A) of the 2003 and 2006 Acts.

(2) a supplementary advice note containing frequently asked questions on the guidelines, based on queries received to date by the Office [8-2-07].

In relation to the charge at (1)(b), the Commission noted that the only information to be recorded would be the quantity and duration of incoming calls which are transferred. The Commission approved the charges and the supplementary advice note for issue to all outgoing Deputies and serving Senators.

1 Appointed by the Minister for Finance as Minister’s representative by letter dated 1 May 2007, in accordance with section 9(2) of the 2003 and 2006 Acts. 2 The President having dissolved Dáil Éireann on 29th April, 2007, the following four ordinary Dáil members ceased to be members of the Commission with effect from that date by virtue of section 8(6)(a) of the 2003 and 2006 Acts: , M.J. Nolan, Paul McGrath and Liz O’Donnell. 1

3. Handbook for Commission members – disclosures of interest

The Commission agreed that the provisions in relation to disclosure of interest in the handbook should be amended to require a member who has disclosed a material interest in a matter under consideration at a meeting to absent him or herself from the meeting while such consideration is underway.

4. Adjournment The meeting adjourned at 2.30 p.m.

John O’Donoghue, T.D., Ceann Comhairle, Chairperson of the Commission. Dated:

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