Maureen O'Sullivan (Dublin Central, Independent) | Oireachtas source

This debate is very opportune in view of last night's RTE report and the discussion which followed it. There were three points that struck me having watched the programme and the debate. The first, obviously, was the extent of the corruption that was revealed. Second was the pathetic quality of the excuses we heard such as that the forms were too difficult to fill in properly. My own experience of the Standards in Public Office Commission is of its readiness to answer any questions and assist on any points on which one might have a difficulty. The third point that struck me was the use of a sting operation employing actors and cameras to discover cases of corruption. What this showed up is the need for proper and independent investigation where allegations of wrongdoing are made.

This motion is about what the programme highlighted, namely, the requirement for integrity and honesty in public life. I was a teacher for 30 years and I have always been proud to say so. I am not sure I can say the same about being a politician. It should be a badge of honour that one has been elected by one's constituents to Ireland's national Parliament.

We have had many scandals and controversies which are undermining that, so public confidence is at a low. That accounts for the low turnout to vote in elections. We hear the mantra that we are all the same, there will not be any change and, as one radio caller said today, that politicians are on this gravy train. It is very unfortunate that this is the public perspective.

How has this been addressed in the past? We could look at the Mahon and Moriarty tribunals, for example. They cost a tremendous amount but what tangible result came from that, apart from lining the pockets of certain professions? In regard to Storm Desmond, while flood prevention measures have been put in place after other storms, much preventative work still needs to be done to address some of the difficulties that are now arising for people. With that storm and with what we are talking about tonight, so much is reactive instead of proactive. There is a need to address issues in a much more proactive way rather than waiting for controversies and difficulties to arise and then reacting to them.

Why are Governments not more proactive in eliminating corruption and cronyism? I looked at the Government's amendment and it condemns corruption, breaches of ethics and all other forms of white-collar crime. There is a list of Acts and the quote is that the Government is "committed to ensuring that the necessary measures are in place to effectively combat corruption" but if that were so, what was shown on last night's programme - I am not just talking about the three individuals but also about the other instances that were mentioned - would not be a reality. Legislation is not worth anything unless it is effective and it is clear the legislation to date is not effective. Therefore, why is the very valid, sensible suggestion regarding the need to establish a permanent, independent anti-corruption agency, with powers as set out in the Private Members' motion, not being considered?

There is one aspect of the motion with which I do not agree and that is to set up a new Oireachtas public interest committee. Politicians should not sit as judge and jury over fellow politicians. Any investigation must be independent and impartial. We have an unfortunate culture in Ireland of not taking responsibility for our actions. Responsibility means taking the difficult step of resigning from the position but we do not have that culture here. We also have the mentality of the loveable rogue but I see nothing loveable about somebody whose self-interest dominates everything he or she does. As Rousseau said, "[a]s soon as public service ceases to be the chief business of the citizens, and they would rather serve with their money than with their persons, the State is not far from its fall". We know progress has been made in eradicating complicity between commercial business interests and elected and unelected officials but we still have quite a way to go before that is completely eradicated. The suggestions in the Private Members' motion could contribute. We are a small country, so certain people move in the same social and sporting circles. That has contributed to the perception that it is about who one knows.

In 2014, Ireland ranked 17th in Transparency International's corruption perceptions index. Its definition of corruption was the abuse of public office for private gain. Private gain was not just confined to finances but also personal and partisan value for those involved. It was the tribunals of the late 20th and early 21st century that exposed the corruption in Irish public life. It was summed up in the phrase "shady dealings between businesses and political elites". The common denominators in the findings of the beef tribunal and the McCracken, Moriarty and Mahon tribunals were improper dealings, tax evasion, corrupt payments and donations and gifts to Irish political figures by businessmen and corporations to win influence. The RTE programme discovered the same, that is, donations, gifts and corrupt payments. What is in the Government amendment has not been a deterrent. Despite all the tribunal findings, very few politicians or businesspeople were criminally convicted or charged.

On the positive side, according to Transparency International, organised crime is relatively non-existent in Irish politics, which we will be glad to hear, and despite the degrees of corruption that have been found, we are one of the least corrupt countries in the world. Today is International Anti-Corruption Day. I was very struck this morning when I was at the launch of ATD Fourth World handbook, entitled Making Human Rights Work for People Living in Extreme Poverty. Those in positions of trust, elected to high office or working in positions of influence should surely be the leaders when it comes to promoting and protecting human rights rather than abusing them. The actions of that so-called elite in politics, business and corporations are responsible for the extreme poverty of so many others. As we are such a voice in the UN on human rights, we must start looking at human rights in this country and looking at ourselves is probably the first step in that.

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