Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 7 March 2023
221. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Finance in light of his review of the ethics framework, the measures he is considering to improve the oversight of potential conflicts of interest, and sanctions for having failed to declare a conflict of interest when a Minister has authority or jurisdiction over the relevant area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11314/23]
View answerAs the Deputy notes, the recently published Review of the statutory framework for Ethics made a number of recommendations on the statutory framework that broadly focus on five key themes:
- A legislative framework for Ethics to be underpinned by a set of overarching integrity principles.
- New specific statutory prohibitions, including on the use of insider information.
- Strengthening disclosures requirements to improve transparency and examining whether the regime should encompass more office-holders.
- Strengthening the Standards in Public Office Commission (SIPO).
- Post-term employment restrictions for elected officials/public servants that address matters not already covered by lobbying regulation and should align closely with that legislation.
My Department is now preparing a General Scheme for reform the statutory framework informed inter alia by the outcome of the Review.
In the matter of conflicts of interest, the approach will be to strengthen significantly the obligations on public officials to disclose, as a matter of routine, any actual and potential conflicts of interest. On the matter of sanctions, the draft scheme will address necessary powers of enforcement and sanction for non-disclosure and non-compliance.
In this, the Government’s ultimate goal is to create a fit-for-purpose, easy to understand and user-friendly ethical framework that contributes to the quality and efficacy of our public administration.
