Mahon tribunal makes recommendations on standards and ethics
The Mahon tribunal has made a number of recommendations around standards and ethics, in its final report published today.
Among the recommendations are:
- The establishment of a planning regulator;
- That a breach of ethics should be a criminal offence;
- An increased role for the Standards in Public Office Commission;
- Public officials should be restricted from land dealings for a period of two years after leaving office;
- All political parties should disclose full audited accounts;
- A new definition should be established for political donations and donations should be strictly limited.
The Mahon report also says the tribunal is satisfied that allegations levelled against the Ceann Comhairle Sean Barrett - when he was a councillor in 1992 - are not true.
It also describes as commendable and correct the decision of Communications Minister Pat Rabbitte to return a IRL£2,000 donation from lobbyist Frank Dunlop at the time of the 1992 General Election when he was a Democratic Left party councillor.
Meanwhile, Taoiseach Enda Kenny refused to comment on the Tribunal findings at a function he is attending today.
It is understood he may speak on the issue later.
