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Anti-corruption group says Irish TDs need better ethics training

Irish TDs need better training in ethics. That is according to the Council of Europe, which says ...
Newstalk
Newstalk

11.24 21 Nov 2014


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Anti-corruption group says Iri...

Anti-corruption group says Irish TDs need better ethics training

Newstalk
Newstalk

11.24 21 Nov 2014


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Irish TDs need better training in ethics. That is according to the Council of Europe, which says TDs' private staff also need to be covered by ethics laws.

The Council says Ireland also needs to beef up its laws requiring TDs to declare their financial interests.

The anti-corruption group says they should also have to declare the financial interests of close family members and business partners.

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The report says: "Despite substantial reforms in the past relating to public administration including, for example, the adoption of the Freedom of Information Act, the Ethics Acts and the establishment of connected accountability mechanisms, there is growing concern about corruption in Ireland."

"From rather low perceived corruption levels, Ireland's ranking according to Transparency International's perception index fell significantly in 2012."

"The drop could possibly be connected with the findings of a domestic enquiry, the Mahon Tribunal, investigating corruption allegations in relation to planning permission and rezoning issues, involving the business sector as well as politicians. "

The report also singles out the judiciary and prosecution service as "among the most trusted public institutions in Ireland."

It says the independence and professionalism of judges is "undisputed."

However, it points out that recent measures taken to reduce public salaries, following the financial crisis, have been "of particular concern for judges as their Constitutional safeguard for the protection of financial benefits has been amended."

The recommendations are among 11 changes proposed by the Group of States Against Corruption (GRECO).

Concern over judicial independence

It also makes a series of recommendations about Ireland's judges and courts system - noting that the referendum to allow judges' pay be cut could, potentially, undermine their independence from the government.

It says that the current system for picking judges needs a major overhaul - saying appointments need to be done in a transparent way, separate to the political system.

At present, appointments to most courts have to be approved by Cabinet, giving politicians the right to choose who will sit on the most powerful judicial benches.

It recommends setting up a new independent body to govern the judiciary, with a formal code of conduct requiring judges to disclose their own financial interests, handling of confidential information, and gifts.

Read the full report here


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