Ethics watchdog faces battle over gaining clout
Currently, the Standards in Public Office Commission must first receive a complaint before it can appoint an officer to conduct a preliminary inquiry into an alleged breach of the ethics legislation.
The Standards Commission has repeatedly called on the Government to give it the power to appoint such officers without having to wait for complaints.
However, the Government has, to date, refused all such demands.
Yesterday in the Dail, Labour proposed a new bill, which, if passed, would allow the Standards Commission to appoint inquiry officers in cases where it has not received a complaint.
Labour deputy leader Joan Burton said: “The recent public controversy about payments received by the Taoiseach and whether or not he was tax compliant and entitled to a tax clearance certificate at the time of the 2002 general election highlighted the gap in the law.
“While this was a matter of huge public controversy, the Commission found itself unable to take any action until a formal complaint was made.”
She called on the Government to “reconsider its opposition” to the idea.
However, the Government last night said its position on the issue had not changed with Finance Minister Brian Cowen saying: “It is reasonable that a complaint to the Standards Commission should be required to commence the inquiry process, which, in itself, can carry serious consequences for the person who is to be the subject of it.”
Meanwhile, Mr Cowen has said it is a matter for controversial businessman Norman Turner to decide whether to co-operate with the Mahon Tribunal.
Mr Turner, an American businessman now based in Switzerland, donated $10,000 to Fianna Fáil in 1994 at a time when he was seeking support for a proposed casino development in Dublin’s Phoenix Park.
The same year, Taoiseach Bertie Ahern assisted Mr Turner, whose mother was Irish, to obtain a passport.
Mr Turner has so far refused to give evidence to the tribunal. Speaking in Switzerland this week, he said the controversy over the passport was “a nonsense” and that Ireland “should be proud” of the Taoiseach. He refused to comment further.
