Minister applauds Quinn over draft code of conduct

The Government has suggested that a Labour draft code of conduct for TDs be referred to the Oireachtas committee on members' interests.

The Minister of State for Finance, Mr Martin Cullen, said he did not see the growing demand for such a code as an admission of failure, or as a reflection on the generally high standards of behaviour and exceptional commitment to the public interest apparent in the House. "I think it is, rather, a response to a rapidly changing, ever more complex society and to the demands of a modern democracy."

The Labour leader, Mr Ruairi Quinn, said he firmly believed such a code was necessary, particularly in the light of recent events, to restore public confidence, or at least hope, in the integrity of the individual members. There was also, he said, a need to restore some degree of the respect and confidence that society might properly place in the Dail as a whole.

"It is time for us now to take control of our own affairs. There are some existing standards of practice in place.

"Most are governed by the Ethics in Public Office Act of 1995. But they are formulated in the negative. They define what we should not do as much as what we should be doing.

"The point of a code of conduct, as is the case in other professions, is to establish an agreed set of standards to which we should all aspire."

Mr Quinn, speaking during private member's time, outlined the draft code:

The obligation of TDs to uphold the law and to co-operate fully with the institutions of the State, including tribunals of inquiry

A requirement to avoid the improper use of any payment or allowance made to members for public purposes

A requirement not to place themselves under any financial or other obligation to outside individuals or organisations that might influence them in the performance of their official duties

An obligation to perform their official duties and arrange their private affairs in a manner that will bear the closest legitimate scrutiny

The introduction of a rule against making a statement in the House or its committees which was false or misleading in any material respect.

Mr Quinn said every member of the House was capable of inadvertently making small mistakes or not meeting standards. "If and when the matter becomes clear, most will rush to put things right. The venial should not be used to excuse the mortal."

He added there were members who, in his view, deliberately and systematically sought to abuse the privileges that attached to membership of the House.

"The matter recently reached a head in a situation in which one of our number cited this House as a reason why he should not co-operate fully with a tribunal established by us all, and despite revulsion on all sides of the House, we were powerless to do anything about it.

"When the public expected action most, there was none. And the Government, or one half of it anyway, was only too happy to hide behind the inadequate rules of this House."

Mr Cullen said there was much to be applauded in the draft code, which could be considered by the committee with other suggestions and proposals.

He said the desire for a code of conduct for all parliamentarians was noted in the responses of Oireachtas committees to outline Government proposals for a Standards in Public Office Bill. It was again apparent in responses of members to relevant committees to the published Bill, and it is underlined by the fact that the topic was again being discussed by the Dail.