Politics needs to endorse and live the ideals of the Nolan principles

It was in November 1997 that the Oireachtas appointed the Tribunal of Inquiry into Certain Planning Matters and Payments but it is abundantly clear, following the RTÉ exposé, that the legacy of this painstaking and costly 15-year inquiry has neither eliminated corruption from the planning process; given clarity to the basic ethical standards expected of public office holders or inspired confidence in the integrity of the planning system.

Public trust continues to be abused and public confidence in politicians is undermined by the clandestine actions of some and the impunity of their behaviour.

Three years before this tribunal was appointed, the son of Kerry-born Famine emigrants to England, Baron Michael Patrick Nolan QC, a judge of the United Kingdom, became the first Chairman of the Committee on Standards in Public Life, a position he held until 1997.

When Lord Nolan died in 2007 his obituary declared that he had ‘made a profound mark on public life by cleaning the Augean stable of corrupt politics’.

What have become known as ‘The Nolan principles’ were published in May 1995 and survive him today.

These seven guiding principles encompass:

Selflessness: Holders of public office should act solely in terms of the public interest — not to gain financial or any other advantages for themselves.

Integrity: Holders of public office should not place themselves under any financial, or other obligations, to individuals, or organisations, that might seek to inappropriately influence them in their duties.

Objectivity: In carrying out public business, including making public appointments, awarding contracts or recommending individuals for rewards and benefits, holders of public office should make choices impartially, fairly and on merit using best evidence and without discrimination or bias.

Accountability: Holders of public office are accountable to the public for their decisions and actions to the public and must submit themselves to scrutiny necessary to ensure this.

Openness: Holders of public office should act and take decisions in an open and transparent manner. Information should not be withheld from the public unless there are clearly reasons in the wider public interest for doing so and there are lawful.

Honesty: Holders of public office should be truthful.

Leadership: Holder of public office should exhibit these principles in their own behaviour by robustly promoting and supporting them and being willing to challenge poor behaviour whenever this occurs.

Would it be asking too much for each local authority, in the first instance, to demonstrate initiative and leadership by embracing these principles immediately; by taking whatever steps are necessary to implement them fully in practice and for the Government to introduce legislation to ensure that transgressing public representatives are promptly ousted from the public roles, benefits and privileges they enjoy; and that they are punished appropriately?

Myles Duffy

Glenageary

Co Dublin