Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Social Democrats) | Oireachtas source

By any standards, last week was a bad one for transparency and accountability in politics. It is important that we learn lessons from that. One way the Taoiseach can show that he has learned some lessons is by giving effect to the many recommendations that the Standards in Public Office Commission, SIPO, has made in recent years with regard to tightening up the position in resect of lobbying. I ask him to give that area priority.

In the context of promised legislation, the Public Sector Standards Bill 2015, the purpose of which is to consolidate ethics legislation and give effect to the many recommendations from various tribunals, has been awaiting Committee Stage since before the most recent election. It appears that there is little or no political will to progress these ethical issues. To date, there has certainly been no evidence of that on the part of the Government. I invite the Taoiseach to indicate that he has learned lessons from the events of last week and that he will give priority to supporting SIPO and bringing the legislation forward to Committee Stage.

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