Lack of Leech contract probe prompts calls for additional powers

THE decision of the State ethics watchdog not to investigate Martin Cullen's appointment of Monica Leech as a PR consultant has prompted calls for additional powers to be granted to the body.

Suggesting that the Standards In Public Office Commission decision was not unanimous, Green Party leader Trevor Sargent called for reform of the laws governing ethics in politics and said it was not good enough that a consultant should be able to do fundraising for a minister.

Describing Mr Cullen as the "prodigal minister", Mr Sargent queried how the Minister for Transport could claim to be exonerated when there was so much criticism of the appointment.