The annual report of the Standards in Public Office Commission for 2003 offers cautionary advice. The chairman's introduction concentrates on the urgent need for politicians and public servants to rebuild public trust in their leadership and in the institutions of the State following the on-going disclosure of low standards in high places.
Mr Justice Matthew P. Smith refers to the work of the various tribunals and calls for reassurance that the events being investigated are confined to the past and do not find a resonance in current public administration. He also notes that legislation, of itself, does not provide a guarantee against the future abuse of position and of power.
The Commission has responsibility for monitoring and enforcing the provisions of the Ethics Acts, the Electoral Acts and the expenditure of funds under the party leaders' allowances. Its verdict, in terms of the Government's commitment to higher standards in public life and the subsequent implementation of those measures, was somewhat ambivalent. On one hand, it vigorously welcomed the support it received in devising a new code of conduct for ministers in 2003. On the other, it expressed serious concern over the failure of the Minister for Finance to ensure that relevant public bodies were covered by the Ethics Acts. And it sought new powers to investigate offences committed by TDs and Senators.
During the past decade, as various forms of corruption within Irish public life were laid bare, successive governments introduced laws and regulations aimed at creating openness, accountability and transparency in public administration. We now have some of the most progressive legislation in Europe, covering political donations, reporting and administrative systems and codes of conduct. But, as Mr Justice Smith made clear, unless a determined effort is made by politicians and public servants to enforce these laws and embrace the philosophy they represent, the reforms will fail. Much of the hard work has been done. We must now move beyond technical compliance to full-blooded support for the new regime.
Old habits die hard. A tradition whereby governments and ministers used their offices to advance their party's interests is still with us, in spite of the new codes of conduct. That is changing. Two ministers infringed the code in the run-up to the recent local elections. But they later admitted fault and compensation was paid to the public purse. This alteration in political culture is a welcome development that goes to the very heart of Government. It is hoped that such change and the debate it engenders will lead to higher standards of conduct in public life.