‘Take away Dáil passes to prevent fly-by-night lobbying’

Former Leinster House staff should have their Dáil passes taken away to avoid “fly-by-night” lobbying, according to an academic who advised the Government on a bill due to be published shortly.

Gary Murphy of Dublin City University said recent revelations that Frank Flannery, the former Fine Gael strategist, was “swanning around Leinster House” while the Rehab group, which he chaired, was before the Dáil’s Public Accounts Committee highlights the need to tighten up regulations.

Prof Murphy was speaking at a conference organised by University College Cork entitled ‘Sovereignty Regained: Has the bailout changed the Irish State?’