Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 24 April 2012
285 Deputy Patrick Nulty asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the steps he has taken to implement the recommendations of the Moriarty Tribunal since its publication twelve months ago; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18000/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraRecommendation 62.15 of the Moriarty Tribunal Report (March 2011) is that the Standards Commission could appoint an inspector to audit the financial affairs of an office holder, within meaning of the Ethics Acts, by the voluntary and positive election of the office holder, at any time during his/her period in office and for a defined period thereafter.
I am examining another possible approach, namely, to allow the Standards Commission to audit an office holder's financial affairs, but only in the case of an investigation by the Commission of the office holder for an infringement of the Ethics Acts or the Electoral Acts involving his personal financial affairs. Such an approach would allow an office holder's financial affairs to be audited where there is a real concern about standards in public life.
Following the recent Government Decision responding to the Mahon Tribunal, I am reviewing the detailed set of recommendations contained in the Mahon Report related to ethics as well as those contained in the Moriarty Report in order to formulate proposals for those recommendations falling to his Department to progress.
In that context, I will consider in consultation with the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government and the Attorney General what steps may be necessary in terms of root-and-branch reworking of the ethics framework.
286 Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will deal with a matter regarding the Mahon Report (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19750/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Deputy will be aware that the Government has referred the report to the Garda Commissioner, the Director of Public Prosecutions, the Revenue Commissioners and to the Standards in Public Office Commission. The Dáil has fully debated the Report and the Government is considering its response to the findings and recommendations.
