Noel O'Flynn (Cork North Central, Fianna Fail)

I recall saying in my maiden speech nine years ago that we were being unfair to Ray Burke. That has come back to haunt me, but I state on the record that I was proven wrong. It shows what immense benefit the tribunals have been to the Oireachtas in recent years. I also believe, like my colleagues, that this motion is aimed purely at grabbing headlines. It does not refer to far-reaching reforms and legislative initiatives undertaken by the Government and pays no regard to the ongoing and thorough work of the tribunals established by the Oireachtas.

The truth is that where issues have arisen regarding office-holders, we have shown that the highest ethical standards are expected. Office-holders must at all times observe the highest standards of behaviour and act in good faith to promote the common good. The motion seeks to tar all elected representatives with the same brush. The natural assumption of wrongdoing is both offensive and unjust. The vast majority of elected politicians in this State act with integrity, doing their level best to represent their constituents without fear or favour. Other countries now approach us seeking information on how our systems of accountability work.

This Government has initiated the most far-reaching inquiries in the history of the State. We have not only prescribed higher standards but provided for serious punitive consequences. The Green Party does not seem to be aware of the ironic nature of its motion. I am surprised, since I get on reasonably well with Deputy Eamon Ryan; I do not know whether he drafted it. The Greens seem oblivious to the cost that they and their supporters impose on the taxpayer through boycotting infrastructural projects around the country such as those in the Glen of the Downs and Carrickmines. Now they show fervent opposition to the M3. It does not seem to matter to them that this vital infrastructure is important to our growing and prosperous economy or that building roads will have a massive impact on the quality of life of those living in the area.

The rules of the Planning and Development Act 2000 were extended, something to which other Members have referred, to cover the ethics of planning authority staff. That introduced more opportunities for public consultation and scrutiny of zoning decisions and the granting of individual planning permission. It increased political oversight of the system of development contributions. In addition, the Department has been intervening more proactively in planning policy advice and issued guidelines on such matters as increasing residential densities, mobile telephone masts, child care facilities and quarries. Their purpose on specific subjects is to assist local authorities in carrying out their planning functions and give all those involved in the planning system up-to-date guidance on best practice.

There is a requirement in the 2001 Act regarding the ethics framework for local government employees and councillors. The Act's founding principle is that it is the duty of every councillor and employee to maintain proper standards of integrity, conduct and concern for the public interest. The framework is based on three basic requirements, the first being an annual declaration of a wide range of interests, the second disclosure of beneficial interests in matters coming before the authority, and the third a public register of those interests. There is also a requirement to disclose an interest in any matter that arises in a local authority's performance of its functions in which a councillor, employee or connected person has an interest. Failure to comply with the key requirements of the legislation is an offence, and the penalties concerned have been set at a high level to achieve a clear deterrent effect.

As the final element in that comprehensive ethics framework for local government, separate national codes of conduct for local authority employees and councillors were published under the Act in 2004. Their purpose was to set out standards and principles of conduct and integrity and to inform the public of the conduct. One is entitled to expect them to enhance public trust and confidence in the local government system. In Government, we have established nine tribunals, which I will not list owing to time constraints. We are determined to find the truth, wherever and whatever it is.

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