Publication of the Report of the Review of Ireland's Statutory Framework for Ethics in Public Office

The Department of Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery, and Reform today (Tuesday, 7 February) published the Report of its Review of Ireland’s Statutory Framework for Ethics in Public Office.

Access the Review and accompanying survey.

The government approved publication of the Review in December 2022 and further agreed to the preparation of a general scheme for legislative reform based on the outcome of the Review.

The Review included the following elements:

a review of Ireland’s existing ethics legislative framework, including a reassessment of the 2015 Public Sector Standards Bill
a review of the recommendations of relevant tribunals of inquiry
a review of recommendations of the Standards in Public Office Commission (SIPO) based on its operation of the current regime
consultations with the Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government on the local government aspects of a consolidated statutory regime
a review of current EU/International best practice; and
a Public Consultation process

As part of the review process, the department also engaged directly with significant stakeholders, including relevant government departments, the Attorney General's Office, the Standards in Public Office Commission and the Dáil and Seanad Committees on Members' Interests.

The Review's recommendations centre on five key themes:

the legislative framework for ethics should be underpinned by a set of overarching integrity principles
new specific statutory prohibitions, including on the use of insider information
strengthening disclosures requirements to improve transparency and examining whether the regime should encompass more office holders
strengthening the Standards in Public Office Commission (SIPO)
any post term employment restrictions for elected officials/public servants should address matters not already covered by lobbying regulation and should align closely with that legislation

In line with the Official Languages Act, an Irish translation of the Review is also being prepared for publication.