Joe Costello (Dublin Central, Labour)
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Question 162: To ask the Minister for Finance if the Government will accede to the request made by the Standards in Public Offices Commission for an amendment to the Ethics Acts in order to allow for the appointment of an inquiry officer in cases where the Commission wishes to pursue a matter under legislation but has not received a formal complaint; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33116/06]

Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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The Standards in Public Office Commission (the Standards Commission) has been in existence since December 2001. It replaced the Public Offices Commission which was established in November 1995.

I am satisfied that the powers of the Standards in Public Office Commission, as they stand, are ample to meet public concerns in the field of standards in public life. I feel it is reasonable that at least a formal complaint to the Standards Commission should be required to commence the inquiry process, which, in itself, can carry serious consequences for the person under investigation.

I would find it difficult to accept that the appointment of inquiry officers would be justified in circumstances where a formal complaint had not been made to the Standards Commission from one of the numerous categories of persons (including members of the public and any public representative) entitled to do so against persons and office holders against whom complaints can be made.

If a matter is of sufficient public importance or substance to warrant an enquiry it must surely be of sufficient importance to warrant at least a formal complaint from one of the numerous categories entitled to do so, including the general public and every office holder and public representative.