Register of interests: main public bodies covered
Fiona Gartland
Board members of more than 380 public bodies are required to register their interests with the Standards in Public Office Commission by today.
Under the Ethics in Public Office Acts 1995 and 2001, board members and some staff of public bodies must register any interests that could influence them in relation to the performance of their official duties on the board.
They must also register any interests held by a spouse or children. Board members are asked to list paid occupations, shares, directorships, land ownership and travel, meals or accommodation supplied during 2005 free of charge or at a reduced rate.
Gifts or property supplied or lent must be included on the list.
Some board members were required to register their interests under earlier legislation, but the majority will be registering for the first time.
The commission is chaired by Mr Justice Matthew P Smith and members include Comptroller and Auditor General John Purcell, Ombudsman Emily O'Reilly, and former minister Liam Kavanagh.
Complaints of conflict of interest are investigated by the commission and a report brought before the relevant Minister. The board member may then be subject to disciplinary sanctions from the public body in which he or she works. The commission has no further function once its report is produced.
If a complaint made against a person is unfounded, the complainant may be liable to pay costs of up to €1,950.
A commission spokesman said if a conflict of interest arose, the board member would be obliged to opt out of any decision made on the tender, unless there were compelling reasons.
TDs and senators are also required to register donations received in 2005 by today.
The directors of the following public bodies are amongst those required to register with the Standards in Public Office Commission by today:
ESB, Bord Gáis, An Post, RTÉ, Irish Financial Services Regulatory Authority, Health and Safety Authority, An Bord Pleanála, Heritage Council, Environmental Protection Agency, Irish Blood Transfusion Services Board, An Bord Bia, Coillte, Irish National Stud, Teagasc, Campus and Stadium Ireland Development Ltd, Irish Sports Council, National Concert Hall, National Gallery of Ireland, Fáilte Ireland and the Arts Council.
A full list of the designated public bodies can be viewed at www.finance.gov.ie