Violation of proposed FF conduct code could lead to expulsion from party

Physical and sexual assault, drunk-driving and the non-payment of taxes could lead to expulsion from Fianna Fail, according to the new code of conduct being drafted by the party.

The guidelines, promised by the Taoiseach, Mr Ahern, are intended "to promote conduct and behaviour" among office-holders and candidates "over and above that required by the law".

The code is now being finalised for submission to the party's national executive in mid- to late January.

It is not clear from the current draft, however, the precise onus of proof required before a member could be subject to sanctions by the party.

Sections of the document, seen by The Irish Times, propose that the Fianna Fail leader, Mr Ahern, shall set up a Standards in Public Life Committee, comprising five people including the chairman of the parliamentary party and the general secretary, with the primary responsibility of the "encouraging and reinforcing of a culture of the highest standard of ethical behaviour in the party and public life in general".

The committee will also be responsible for investigating any allegation of a breach of the new guidelines and procedures by office-holders and candidates.

The document is proposing that breaches of the criminal law, including incitement to hatred, will be incompatible with holding public office for the party.

The range of "possible punishments" being considered include removal from party positions, loss of the whip, and expulsion from the party altogether.

The purpose of the document, according to the draft, is to set out guiding principles and a general code of conduct to which members active in public life should adhere; to detail the requirements imposed on candidates and officeholders by the electoral and ethical legislation and practices, in order that each person may clearly understand their legal obligations; and to provide for the establishment of a Standards in Public Life Committee within the party.

The code will apply to Cabinet ministers and ministers of state, as well as to other members of the Dail and Seanad, the European Parliament, and local authorities. It will also apply to candidates for membership of these bodies. Officials employed or paid by the party and ministerial advisers will also be covered by it.

Besides adhering to the requirements of the Electoral Act, the Ethics in Public Office Act and the Government Procedure Instructions, the document sets out five principles of public life which will be applied to members of the party.

They are public service, honesty and integrity, independence, transparency and leadership.

The code states that the key to objectivity in the making and taking of decisions is independence from outside influences.

"An individual should not compromise his or her independence in any way and in particular by putting themselves under any financial or other obligations," according to the document.

On transparency, it requires individuals to make appropriate declarations of all interests that could impact on their role "and (they) must never seek to mislead the public by act or omission in relation to such interests".

The internal Fianna Fail committee which is finalising the document is also expected to require members to give full co-operation to tribunals if they are being investigated by such an inquiry.