THE first Register of Interests of members of Seanad Eireann was published yesterday in Iris Oifigiul.
The list of financial interests, which also includes members of the Dail, forms the core of the Ethics in Public Office Act, 1995. It was designed to prevent possible conflicts of commercial interest for Oireachtas members; was pioneered by the Labour Party; and introduced in the Dail and Seanad by the Minister of State, Ms Eithne Fitzgerald.
Under the Act, members are required to complete statements outlining their interests for the period June 22nd, 1995, to January 31st, 1996. Members were not asked to specify the monetary value of their business and property interests.
Nine headings were provided for members: occupational income; shareholdings worth more than £10,000; directorships; interests in land over £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.
The provision of other information which senators see as relevant is entirely voluntary.
Members with occupational incomes outside their Seanad salaries - worth about £20,000 a year - were asked to describe the nature of the trade or profession, but were only required to register if payments exceeded £2,000. The amount of the remuneration did not have to be specified. The nature of share, bond and debenture holdings had to be specified but not the amount or value.
On directorships, senators were asked to specify whether these positions were at chair, executive, non executive or shadow level.
The section on land interest included any contract for the purchase of land, whether or not a deposit or part payment was involved.
Any gift to a member for "purely personal reasons" by a relative or friend need not be disclosed unless acceptance of such a gift could influence a senator in the execution of his or her functions.
The private residence of a senator, or that of his or her spouse, did not have to be disclosed.
The completed register showed that 12 members owned farms or estates ranging from 20 acres to 1,485 acres. There are five solicitors or barristers; three publicans; three teachers and the general secretary of a teacher's union; three auctioneers; two people involved in the music industry; and two in the fast food business.