Proposed legislation aimed at restoring public confidence in the political system was published by the Government yesterday.
The wide-ranging Standards in Public Office Bill provides for TDs and senators to produce a tax-clearance certificate within nine months of their election and to make a statutory declaration within one month of their election stating that their tax affairs are in order.
Senior public servants and judges will also come under the scope of the Bill and will have to make the same tax declarations as Oireachtas members on their appointment.
Anyone who breaches the new tax requirements faces a suspension of up to 30 days which can be extended in certain circumstances. The Bill also provides for the drawing up of codes of conduct for Ministers, other officeholders, and members of the Oireachtas and employees of public bodies. The codes will form part of the terms and conditions of public service employees.
Under the Bill, a Standards in Public Office Commission with wide investigative powers in relation to complaints about people in public life is to be established.
The commission will consist of a judge or former judge of the High Court or Supreme Court as well as the clerks of the Dail and Seanad, the Comptroller and Auditor General and the Ombudsman.
The chairperson will be appointed by the President on the advice of the Government for a period of six years.
The Bill was published by the Minister for Finance, Mr McCreevy, who said yesterday that it was to be considered as a matter of priority by appropriate Oireachtas committees.
He said he hoped the legislation would make a considerable impact on the Irish political system and would provide for a more open and transparent system of government in the future.