State contracts – Government should not police itself

The question of whether or not the Standards in Public Office Commission fully investigates the circumstances surrounding the awarding of contracts by Transport Minister Martin Cullen, will have to await another day and further legal advice.

Obviously, the meeting yesterday, which lasted five hours behind closed doors, thoroughly examined the issues presented.

But the public wants doors to be opened and this episode has not run its course. There are still avenues that need to be explored, for instance an alleged weekend trip by Mr Cullen and three officials to a Malaysian island last year.