Sir, - The writer of your editorial on February 13th rightly suggests that Fianna Fail has been the butt of unfair and unfounded allegations of corruption in the past. The writer spoils the effect by cynically questioning why the party should be proposing the establishment of an ethics commission at this time.
Both the Minister for the Environment and the editorial cite the Ethics Act and the forthcoming Electoral Bill as adequately covering Fianna Fail concerns. What a happy coincidence of opinion.
Any evaluation of the combined effects of the Ethics in Public Office Act and the Electoral Bill will show that they operate from a very narrow basis. Under the Act, complaints about ordinary members of either House are dealt with by a select committee of the House and any report referred back to the House. It is only complaints concerning office holders which are dealt with by the Public Offices Commission. In the public's mind, this is too cosy an arrangement. Self regulation is not sufficiently objective to restore public confidence in the political system.
The Electoral Bill has an equally narrow focus, relating only to elections and the funding of elections. More importantly, it makes no provision for members of the public to complain to the Public Offices Commission about contraventions of the legislation.
If we are serious about renewing public confidence in the political system, we need an all encompassing, autonomous body which is not just independent, but perceived to be independent. The Fianna Fail proposal provides just such a body.
We have had enough talk about ethics and standards. It is time to deal with the issue comprehensively once and for all, so that the Oireachtas can get on with tackling the serious concerns of Irish society as we approach the Millennium. - Yours, etc.,
Fianna Fail spokesperson on public service reform,
Dail Eireann,
Dublin 2.