28 Samh 2012, 14:53
The Committee on Members' Interests of Dáil Éireann met today to consider complaints referred to it by the Clerk of Dáil Éireann regarding allegations of a breach of the Ethics in Public Office Acts 1995 and 2001 by Michael Lowry TD concerning his interest in certain lands in the UK. The Committee determined that the complaints should be investigated by the Standards in Public Office Commission. In compliance with the legislation, the Committee will now furnish the 380 complaints received to the Commission.
Speaking after the meeting, the Chairperson, Deputy Thomas Pringle said \" The Committee is of the opinion that the Commission is better placed to conduct an investigation into these allegations by virtue of the fact that the legislation provides for an Inquiry Officer to assist the Commission in its work. No such preliminary investigation function, or relevant support mechanism by way of Inquiry Officer or otherwise, is available to the Committee. For that reason, the Committee is furnishing the complaints to the Commission.\"
ENDS