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Susan O’Keeffe: The framework for trust in our entire system is shaped by politicians – they must remember this

If there’s anything the Robert Troy debacle has taught us, it’s that not one person sitting in the Dáil or Seanad should be able take their seat if they have not property filed their entry in the Register of Interests within three months

Robert Troy, the Fianna Fáil TD who resigned as Minister of State this week over his failure to declare his properties. Picture: RollingNews.ie

Former Minister Robert Troy is not the first person to fail to keep his entry in the Register up to date and completely correct. He certainly won’t be the last – unless drastic action is taken by the Oireachtas to ramp up the status of the Register.

Driving a car requires a test and a licence. Teachers, nurses, doctors and a host of other professional jobs require people to register with a professional body and ...