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THE STANDARDS IN Public Office (SIPO) Commission is still in talks with the gardaí about its members reviewing their interests and confirming their compliance with the Ethics Acts.
The watchdog came in contact with the Garda Commissioner following the controversy over the finances of the Garda College in Templemore.
An audit discovered some 50 bank accounts linked to the college, and found many transactions in and out of those accounts, created “a non-transparent system of accounting”.
On foot of a report into the matter by the Oireachtas Public Accounts Committee regarding the Garda College, the committee wrote to SIPO regarding its finding that some members of the gardaí failed to understand or meet their obligations under the Ethics in Public Office Acts 1995 and 2001.
Statements of interest
In its annual report, released this week, the commission said it wrote to the Acting Garda Commissioner Dónall O Cualain outlining his responsibilities as the “relevant authority” to whom some employees in An Garda Síochána furnish statements of interests.
SIPO said it was subsequently informed by the gardaí that the employees within the organisation had been asked to review their interests and confirm their compliance with ethics rules under the law.
“Correspondence with the organisation is ongoing,” states the SIPO report, which finds that public bodies, including the gardaí, have a duty to oversee compliance with the disclosure of interests.
Ethics statements of interest for employees within the gardaí are provided to the Garda Commissioner and not to the commission, noted the report.
SIPO said it has not liaised with the gardaí with a view to improving the communications message to members of the gardaí about their obligations under the Ethics Acts.
In order to assist public bodies, such as the gardaí, in ensuring workers comply with the rules, in the coming year SIPO said it intends to develop standards of best practice for public bodies in communicating and overseeing the compliance of their employees with obligations under the Ethics Acts.
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The operating of “50 secret bank accounts” is wrong under any normal person eye’s so why did Temple Heads think it was ok. What is needed I’d the Revenue Commissioners and Garda Fraud squad investigate all such account no matter what the organisation public or private and if any laws broken those in charge should be charged like everyone else. They are no different from the criminal gang’s having multiple bank accounts it seems ” do as I say not do as I do”.
@Mick12: Notting to see here…..
@Mick12: where did it say the accounts were secret?
Is it possible that the accounts were set up by each new class with their own money upon entering the college for class events etc. Then used to fund nights out or socials while they were students (not accountants) and then lay dormant after they graduated. Instead of the blanket assumption of corruption!
@flabar oflabar: that’s strangely specific speculation.
@Liam Byrne: I suppose it could be, but without the tinfoil hat on that’s what I would presume it is. Also having I’m my youth being a member of many organisations and seeing that sort of thing happen it’s a fairly simple explanation would you not agree?
@flabar oflabar: but that won’t sell newspapers or get clicks. So there has to be a narrative that leads the reader to drawing a conclusion that there is a criminal element for the sake of the story. Journalisim for millennials 101.
@flabar oflabar: no. because you cannot just register a bank account for a “club” without specifically appointing a trustee. The reason you cannot is because of money laundering regulations. It seems the trustee in these cases were members of the teaching college. While your idea assumes massive naivity on behalf of bank managers and senior guards, the law makes no such assumptions. The previous poster is right that there should be an investigation by revenue using money laundering and criminal asset laws to investigate this case, as any other.
@Gulliver Foyle: I think 15 or 20 years ago you could. Could the then trainees possibly have high ranking positions now. What sort of money is in the accounts, when were they last used etc. You are making assumptions. Let’s see when more info surfaces and not before that.
@flabar oflabar: it would have been informative if the amounts in the accounts; total & average, was disclosed in the article.
I pay 100 euro in voluntary school fees, there’s 22 thousand euro a yr going into a small school. Nobody screaming there, I can tell you it funded a Christmas party but in the main it helped pay bills, bought art supplies, footballs etc. I can tell you ,I am ok with that. We do not live in a utopian society where we all wear white and the teachers need morale building exercises.
The case is now being pursued by people who have never been a teacher nurse or garda. If you were to accept Ms. Doyle buying you a bottle of whiskey for some service ,where you went out of your way for her, you’d be in breach of this utopian garbage. TD’s in Ireland who live in Dublin claim for living in Cork to get more expenses and its allowed.
Pass serious legislation laws on corruption , enforce that law and imprison those that break it. Don’t go back 30 years and make out ,here is the problem. It an unethical to have TD’s expenses unvouched and grill others for something that happened mainly in Haugheys Ireland.
@Seamus Mac: I agree Seamus. I also reckon including when they were active. Recent or from decades ago. I’d be a fan of transparency but not witch hunting.
@flabar oflabar: witch hunts are all the rage these days.
one
Still too much winking and nodding
have your say