Introduction by the Chairman

2012 saw some very welcome developments in so far as the Standards in Public Office Commission is concerned. For many years, the Commission has highlighted glaring deficiencies in the laws governing political funding and disclosure of donations. The Commission has also frequently drawn attention to the fact that political parties in this country were not obliged to maintain accounts nor to submit them to an independent authority. As a result, there was little transparency surrounding the financing of political activity. While parties were obliged to disclose details of expenditure for a period of weeks before elections, there was no information available to the public on how these election campaigns were financed.

The Tribunals had highlighted instances of corrupt practices in the past and public confidence and trust in our public institutions was declining, resulting in a most unhealthy situation for our democracy. This was and continues to be a source of grave concern to the Standards Commission. In report after report, the Commission highlighted what it saw as necessary changes to both our electoral and ethics legislation if public trust was to be restored and if the Commission was to have the capacity to function effectively.

The enactment of the Electoral (Amendment) (Political Funding) Act 2012 brought into law several of the Commission’s recommendations for change in the area of political funding. Donation limits and disclosure thresholds have been revised. Provision has been made for the regulation of corporate donors. The Standards Commission is currently drafting guidelines for political parties on keeping proper books of account. These guidelines will be the subject of a public consultation exercise during 2013 and will be published by the Commission once the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government consents to their publication.

The new legislation is not perfect and the Commission is sure that once in operation other defects may be highlighted. But it is a start and a highly significant one. Other changes are promised. Regulation of campaign financing at referendums, extension of the election period for which election expenditure must be disclosed and other electoral reforms are just some examples.

Change is also promised in our ethics legislation, and a law to regulate lobbying activity is being drafted. Public interest disclosure legislation is in the pipeline; the Standards Commission has long called for comprehensive protection for “whistleblowers” who in good faith report wrongdoing to the authorities.

The Commission will continue to highlight necessary changes and will continue to provide a summary of its recommendations in its reports.

Finally, I would like to thank my fellow Commissioners for their contributions during the year. I would particularly like to thank Mr John Buckley who retired as Comptroller and Auditor General in February 2012. John had served on the Standards Commission since 2008 and made a significant and highly valued contribution. His successor, Mr Seamus McCarthy, is very welcome indeed and he has already had a considerable and positive impact on our work. I would also like to thank the staff of our secretariat and our secretary for their efficiency, dedication and commitment to their work during 2012.