Legal

ESB says ‘onerous’ ethics law reforms a turn-off for top talent

Body says ongoing disclosures of interest unnecessary at semi-states and affect workers’ right to privacy under GDPR

Paddy Hayes, chief executive of ESB, which said it would not be appropriate to publish the register of interest for chairpersons and chief executives of public bodies. Picture: Fergal Phillips

The ESB has warned the government that planned reforms of ethics laws for people in publicly funded roles are “unduly onerous” and would limit its ability to retain and attract top staff.

In 2020, a commitment was included in the programme for government to reform the Ethics in Public Office legislation. The update is expected to expand the requirements for public officials to make disclosures of interest and do so on an ongoing basis instead ...