A watchdog without any bite

BRENDAN Howlin, the public expenditure minister, has said that long-awaited legislation needed to reform the ethics laws for people in public life will be brought to the Government early next year.

The measures had been promised in order to deliver on the reforms called for following the publication of the Mahon Tribunal report earlier this year.

Mr Howlin’s department said substantial preparatory work has been completed and it is on course for consideration by the Cabinet early in 2013.