Politics

Elaine Byrne: Public is no longer willing to put up with a watchdog that does not bite

It is now seven years and three governments since the Standards Bill was published, and it has died a death of wilful disregard, leaving Sipo as an observer in ethical controversies

Leinster House: the Standards in Public Office Commission (Sipo) has been left with few powers thanks to a lack of action by successive governments

In 2015, I was invited to give my views, along with the Standards in Public Office Commission (Sipo), to the Oireachtas committee on finance, public expenditure and reform on the Public Sector Standards Bill.

The purpose of the proposed legislation was to reform and modernise conflicts-of-interest requirements for politicians and public officials. Sipo would have greater sanction powers, and it would be able to initiate an investigation without waiting for an official complaint. A toothless ...