Press Releases

Annual Report of the Standards in Public Office Commission for 2005

Date Released: 03.07.2006

Further Information:

 David Waddell 01-639 5707 / 087-2329814

Aidan Moore 01 - 639 5712 / 087-9175186

Fax 6395684

"It is important that Ireland continues to improve its anti-corruption measures in order to maintain and enhance public confidence in public administration" (page 3)

according to Mr Justice Matthew P. Smith, Chairman of the Standards in Public Office Commission, in the fourth Annual Report of the Standards Commission published today.

Justice Smith welcomes the introduction of regulations during the year which increased to almost 470 the number of bodies which fall within the scope of the Ethics Acts. However, he considers it important that the reach of the legislation should extend to all publicly-funded bodies and emphasises the need for consistent application of the legislation, notably in the publicly-funded health sector. (pages 5 & 6)

The Report also advocates the designation of Chairpersons of Oireachtas Committees as office holders thus making them subject to the Act in respect of these positions. Such a change would be in keeping with the expansion of the Ethics Acts in other areas of the public service. (page 5)

The Report lists the changes which the Standards Commission has proposed, at various times, to strengthen both the Ethics and the Electoral legislation. (pages 34 & 35)

The Report also deals with the following issues:

• complaints relating to former Minister of State at the Department of Transport, Mr Ivor Callely TD, to Minister of State at the Department of Finance, Mr Tom Parlon TD and to inappropriate use by office holders of facilities paid for out of public funds. (pages 7 & 8)
• an update of the position relating to the investigation by the Standards Commission in the case of Deputy Michael Collins. (page 10)
• the Standards Commission continues to express the view that the Ethics legislation should be amended to facilitate the appointment of Inquiry Officers in cases where it wishes to pursue a matter under the legislation but has not received a complaint. (pages 8 & 9)
• the Standards Commission urges the early development of codes of conduct for the commercial and non-commercial state sectors. (page 11)
• the Standards Commission welcomes the indication from the Minister for the Environment & Local Government that he is open to the development of provisions in the local authority code of conduct for protection of whistleblowers. (pages 11 & 12)
• having been consulted by the Department of the Environment & Local Government on the Department's proposed amendments to the local authority code of conduct, the Standards Commission expressed its reservations about the composition of the proposed Outside Appointments Board, considering that the balance should be weighted in favour of persons with non-public service backgrounds. It also considered that the wording of the code should be strengthened to reflect more accurately the statutory provisions in relation to local authority employees engaging in outside business, occupations or activities. (page 12)
• difficulties experienced by the Standards Commission in supervising the provisions of the Electoral Acts in relation to accounting units of political parties and in relation to "third parties" . Of particular concern in relation to the latter is the broad definition of "political purposes" which may impose restrictions on individuals or groups whose primary focus may not be political, but who may find some of their activities falling within the definition of "political purposes". (pages 19, 20 & 21)
• donations disclosed by TDs, Senators, MEPs and political parties in respect of 2005. (pages 15 & 16)
• disclosure of donations made by companies under the Electoral Acts. (page 16)
• prosecution of offences under the Electoral Acts during 2005 (Mr. Liam Cosgrave, Mr. Gerard Hannan). (page 17)
• expenditure incurred and donations disclosed in relation to the Kildare North and Meath by-elections of 11 March 2005. (pages 18 & 19)
• exchequer funding of political parties during 2005 under the Electoral and Party Leaders legislation. (pages 23 & 24)
• a summary of the issues raised at the appearance of the Standards Commission before the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance and the Public Service. (page 27)

Issued by the Standards in Public Office Commission on 3 July 2006 email: sipo@sipo.gov.ie
Website: http://www.sipo.gov.ie

Annual Report 2005 - English

Downloadable version (pdf 268kb) of Annual Report 2005 - English

The members of the Standards Commission are:

Mr. Justice Matthew P. Smith, Chairman;
Mr. John Purcell, Comptroller and Auditor General;
Ms. Emily O'Reilly, Ombudsman;
Mr. Kieran Coughlan, Clerk of Dáil Éireann;
Ms. Deirdre Lane, Clerk of Seanad Éireann; and
Mr. Liam Kavanagh.

Back to contents