Pringle: Sipo should have additional powers
- Updated: 19th January 2023
Independent TD for Donegal, Thomas Pringle, said issues with Standards in Public Office Commission (Sipo) powers should be addressed as a matter of urgency.
Addressing the Dáil on Wednesday afternoon, Deputy Pringle said: “I would like to use my time to make a statement rather than ask questions, as has been outlined as a possibility, because I think it would be futile to ask questions at this stage.”
The deputy was speaking during comments following the statement from the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, Paschal Donohoe.
Deputy Pringle noted that, “what this is all about is the Minister’s inaction in relation to his Sipo declaration. The issue is over the non-disclosure of postering carried out by a supporter using his business staff and vehicles.”
The deputy said: “I know that the government is trying to make light of this situation and the Taoiseach’s response today at Leaders’ Questions tried to do that as well, saying that it’s so long ago, etc. And then trying to shut it down by saying it is up to Sipo to investigate and we should not be commenting on the matter at all.
“The problem I think is that Sipo do not have the power to deal fully with these matters. The fact that Sipo even has to wait for a complaint to be raised with them before they can investigate it signals the ridiculousness of the situation.
“That situation is the problem of the Minister and should be rectified as a matter of urgency so that these matters can be dealt with properly,” he said.
Deputy Pringle said: “I know that Sipo has raised these issues themselves with the relevant authorities. It seems that the department with responsibility for the political system does not want to deal with it, which in itself is noteworthy.
“The system is great at pretending that it is dealing with a situation but in reality does nothing. That will be the big outcome from this debate and row in the Dáil today, that nothing will change.
“That is something that you, because it is you that is responsible for it in government, will be responsible for, and hopefully when the time comes will be answerable for as well,” he said.
