Ethics commission issues warning to politicians

The Standards in Public Office Commission has warned elected public representatives that merely "aspiring" to meeting the requirements of openness, accountability and transparency is no longer enough.

In its second annual report, the Commission said it was unacceptable to pay lip service to the tenets of democracy, rather it was "imperative" that politicians act in an exemplary way at all times.

The Commission also expressed "serious concern" about the continuing delay by the Minister for Finance, Mr McCreevy, in changing regulations to ensure public bodies are governed by ethics legislation.

It also said the actions of those in positions of authority should stand the test of public scrutiny and that decisions made must be capable of being defended as having been for the common good.

The Commission chairman, Mr Justice Matthew Smith, said public trust in elected leaders was the "bedrock" democracy.

"Rebuilding that trust should be seen as an urgent priority and should be led, in words and actions, by those whom we elect, whether at local or national level, and those who are appointed to senior positions in the public service whose privilege and obligation it is to serve the interests of the country and its people," he said.

Mr Justice Smith notes that not only is ethics in public office essential for democracy, it is also a source of competitive advantage in the business world and an important tool in attracting foreign investment into Ireland.

He said recent ethics and electoral legislation, and other measures such as the Freedom of Information Act, have brought about a "vast improvement" in Ireland.

"As the work of the tribunals continues there is need for reassurance that events which are being investigated and information which is being revealed are confined to recent history and that resonances of same are not to be found in our current public administration," added the chairman.