Brian O'Shea (Waterford, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 90: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government his plans to revise the ethics legislation regarding local authorities to deal with council members who subsequently benefit financially or commercially from zoning decisions despite having complied with existing legislation to declare an interest and to be absent at the time of the decision; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37430/10]

John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Part 15 of the Local Government Act 2001 provides an ethical framework that requires both elected members and employees to maintain proper standards of integrity, conduct and concern for the public interest. The legislation is complemented by Codes of Conduct issued by the Minister.

The framework sets out clear requirements and procedures for a councillor who has a pecuniary or other beneficial interest in a matter arising for consideration by a local authority. In particular, a councillor is prohibited from influencing or seeking to influence a decision of a local authority on any such matter. Under the Act, failure to comply with these requirements constitutes an offence.

There are no plans at present to revise the requirements or procedures concerned.