Ethics in Public Office Act, 1995

Regulations.

3.—(1) Subject to subsection (3), the Minister may—

(a) by regulations provide for any matter referred to in this Act as prescribed or to be prescribed, and

(b) make regulations generally for the purpose of giving effect to this Act and, if in any respect any difficulty arises during the period of two years after the commencement of this section in bringing into operation this Act, by regulations do anything which appears to be necessary or expedient for bringing this Act into operation.

(2) Regulations under this section may contain such incidental, supplementary and consequential provisions as appear to the Minister to be necessary or expedient for the purposes of the regulations.

(3) The Minister may prescribe—

(a) for the purposes of the definition of “designated directorship” in section 2 , a directorship of a public body, or

(b) for the purposes of the definition of “designated position” in section 2 , a position of employment in a public body,

if, but only if, he or she considers that it is necessary in the public interest to do so in order to ensure, in a case in which, in the opinion of the Minister, a conflict could arise between an interest referred to in section 17 or, as the case may be, section 18 and the public interest in the performance of a function of such a directorship or position, that the function will not be performed without the disclosure of the first-mentioned interest.

(4) Before making regulations in relation to a matter referred to in subsection (3), the Minister shall consult with such other Ministers of the Government (if any) as he or she considers appropriate.

(5) (a) The Minister may, by regulations under this section, vary, having regard to any change in the value of money occurring after the passing of this Act, any monetary amount specified in this Act (other than sections 37 and 38 ).

(b) If, on any amendment of the law relating to elections, it appears to the Minister to be expedient—

(i) to amend section 2 (1) for the purpose of assimilating “commercial price” to any definition of “commercial price” in that law, or

(ii) to amend section 15 (7) for the purpose of assimilating the definition of “donation” to any definition of “donation” in that law,

the Minister may for those purposes by regulations amend the definition mentioned first in subparagraph (i) or, as may be appropriate, the definition mentioned first in subparagraph (ii).

(c) Where regulations under this subsection are proposed to be made, a draft of the regulations shall be laid before each House and the regulations shall not be made until a resolution approving of the draft has been passed by each House.

(6) Every regulation under this Act (other than subsection (5)) shall be laid before each House as soon as may be after it is made and, if a resolution annulling the regulation is passed by either House within the next 21 days on which that House has sat after the regulation is laid before it, the regulation shall be annulled accordingly, but without prejudice to the validity of anything previously done thereunder.