Concern at failings of Standards Act

The Public Offices Commission has expressed concern that the new Standards Act does not deal with the issue of gifts given to ministers by so-called friends.

In its final annual report, the commission said anyone who does business with the State should not be covered by the title "friend", regardless of their relationship with individual ministers.

It also criticised the fact that the number of public bodies covered by the Ethics Act has diminished and said the exclusion of the use of public property and facilities from election spending limits gives an unfair advantage to sitting TDs and Senators.