Coalition delays new rules governing disclosure of interests

Enhanced powers for officials to govern the disclosure of interests and other ethical obligations of politicians have been delayed — after first being mooted by the Coalition over three years ago.

A public sector standards commissioner to oversee investigations, stricter guidelines on disclosure requirements for politicians, and stronger sanctions and enforcement have all been put on hold.

The reforms are all part of the Public Sector Standards Bill, a draft form of which was published by the Government in June.

Fresh reforms are expected to be demanded after an RTÉ investigation last night lifted the lid on politicians failing to declare interests. In some cases, councillors were also found to have asked for rewards for supporting projects.

Dozens of politicians failed to include the fact that they were directors of companies or owned undeclared properties.

In all, seven TDs and senators failed to disclose matters that should have been included in their register of interests. These included former junior minister John Perry, Rural Affairs Minister Ann Phelan, Fine Gael TDs Áine Collins and Tom Barry, Fine Gael senator Tom Sheahan, Independent senator Mary Ann O’Brien, and Independent TD Noel Grealish.

Some of the politicians identified have since changed their register of interests, claiming they had made errors declaring.

Separately, three councillors agreed to lobby on behalf of a dummy company set up by RTÉ for cash or the promise of personal gain.

Monaghan’s Hugh McElvany asked for payment when contacted by an undercover reporter posing as a representative for a fake company seeking to advance a windfarm project.

Footage from RTÉ Investigations Unit: Standards in Public Office. Cllr Hughie McElvaney #RTEInvestigateshttps://t.co/7TGXJK2wyj

— RTÉ News (@rtenews) December 7, 2015

“What’s in it for me,” asked Mr McElvany, who recently left Fine Gael. “Are you going to pay me by the hour or the job,” he asked, later adding that he wanted £10,000 (€13,900) and would act as a conduit between the company and the council.

Mr McElvany yesterday claimed he knew all along that he was the subject of the “RTÉ sting”: “So I lured them into their own trap…”

Sligo councillor Joe Queenan (FF) offered to act as an intermediary for the dummy company in return for an investment in a business he was planning. He claims he never sought a fee.

Footage from RTÉ Investigations Unit: Standards in Public Office. Cllr Joe Queenan #RTEInvestigateshttps://t.co/KNHfeYELRU

— RTÉ News (@rtenews) December 7, 2015

Last night, Fianna Fáil issued a statement that it had accepted Mr Queenan’s resignation and said “some of the behaviour displayed in tonight’s programme was shocking and completely unacceptable”.

Donegal councillor John O’Donnell (Ind) said he would work with the fake firm as long as money was routed through a third party. Mr O’Donnell denies this and said he was the subject of entrapment.

Footage from RTÉ Investigations Unit: Standards in Public Office. Cllr John O’Donnell #RTEInvestigateshttps://t.co/XiqQ2Shg5M

— RTÉ News (@rtenews) December 7, 2015

Taoiseach Enda Kenny said yesterday that legislation that applies to Oireachtas members and their interests can be “very intricate”.

However, fresh legislation to streamline investigations and create the position of a public sector standards commissioner has been delayed.

In mid-2012, in the wake of the Mahon Tribunal report, the Coalition said actions would be taken to strengthen how politicians and their interests were monitored.

Earlier this year, the draft Public Sector Standards Bill was published to enhance existing rules, but this has yet to be agreed by the Fine Gael-Labour government.

A spokeswoman for the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform last night said the legislation would be considered by Government “shortly”.