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The Daily PollOVER THE WEEKEND, Public Expenditure Minister Paschal Donohoe was engulfed in controversy after it emerged that he had failed to declare a donation of services to the Standards in Public Office Commission (Sipo) following the 2016 General Election.
He has since apologised for not submitting the declaration and has updated his returns to Sipo.
The controversy has led to renewed questions over whether or not Sipo requires additional powers to investigate public office holders and issue sanctions to those who breach rules.
The body has long called for additional powers and resources.
So today, we want to know: Should Sipo receive additional powers to deal with politicians who break rules?
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Enough of this “Sorry” business. Anyone caught out or who deliberately without info on their disclosure should step down and definetly not be allowed stand again.
@Dave Barrett: Saw Paschal’s apology on the news last night. Nothing says sincerity like reading it off a sheet (and flubbing it).
SIPO is already compromised after the Leo Varadkar leaking fiasco. These investigations should be carried out by entirely independent groups. Not those who have been appointed by or are affiliated with political parties.
@Fay Moynihan: 100% with this.
@Fay Moynihan: my thoughts exactly
And Pascal needs to resign
@Chris OB: Well said
@Dave Barrett: Whatever about Pascal, TD’s in general should not have second incomes or jobs in industries that the TD can influence with regard to legislation or the awarding of government contracts.
@Frank Cauldhame: Totally agree. Had a councillors wife call here one time for the local election. Didn’t see why, an auctioneer should run for election as he would be privy to info on land rezoning ext,. Didn’t take it well.
No SIPO is not the answer. Legislation is needed which would remove politicians from office or have them banned from elections over a period of time. SIPO isn’t good enough. Its part of the establishment.
Why isn’t there any articles on DAMIEN ENGLISH defaulting on 2 mortgages? Is he still living in them? Is he renting them? Is he paying anything on them? How come they weren’t sold?
@lunadoran: Sorry for going off topic, but did Damien English just resign as a minister and stay as a politician, or is he retired properly ??
@Hi Hello: He is still a TD on a massive salary for doing absolutely nothing.
@David Corrigan:
Same thing he was never found out as far as he’s concerned. Tax man still supporting him.
A legal social contract of financial responsibility should be drawn up for all politians and political parties. This would do away with all deviation and anomaly. Now legally responsible for what they say and do would change democracy for the betterment of all !
@Daniel Pat Lacey: Which is exactly why it will never be allowed to happen.
@Lily Martin: Neoliberalism is legally written to protect the establishment and their financial affiliates and is now backed by todays political system. Political parties are now becoming organisations of hatreds fragmenting our democratic unity of purpose. They should be disbanded and replaced by young educated qualified and experienced specialists. Collective Intelligence is a far better system of governance to the current malaise and the technology is there for all. Legal contract accountability for all financial transactions should be sacrosanct.
Is the real problem what was done for the donation and it wasn’t declared because it would become obvious?
Well if Sinn Fein had to itemise every time they got a few lads to do a bit of work for them it would make interesting reading!
@Hotirish: but but….
Sinn Fein
@Hotirish: Nice deflection, If SF are in the headlines the mainstream media will go into overdrive to report it. It is right that the abuse of power by politicians is reported which ever party they represent. However it took a website to report on Pascal O’Donoghue, not the so called journalists of the mainstream media. Wonder why other information published on the website was not reported by the media. Suppose it is akin to the Attorney General getting Varadkar off the hook concerning Zappone gate, which not all investigation bodies agreed with. Between FFG and the Church it is now a race to see who apologised the most.
@Hotirish: Beautiful deflection. Do you practice it often?
@Hotirish:
Would people ever grow up and stop acting like children. Do you actually think that Sinn Fein won’t look after themselves. Corruption is what most TD’s are about. Not getting caught is secret.
@Donal Desmond: it took ex TD Shane Ross to highlight how Mary Sue financed her house and a criminal to highlight her connections to organized crime. The mainstream media don’t touch SF for fear of being sued. Isnt Mary Lou suing RTE at the moment. We need independent media outlets like the Ditch and Village to report the likes of Leo , Pascal etc.
@Patrick O Connell: We need independent media outlets to investigate and report all suspicious activities by all politicians. It doesn’t matter which party they represent. If they are up to no good then the people need to know.
@Hotirish: I was wondering if the canvassers who call to my door seeking my support for their chosen candidate should be considered as contributing at least the minimum wage to the candidate and should the hours they “work” looking for votes be considered donations. I am unsure if people realise that no money seems to have changed hands but rather someone put up and took down some election posters
@Hotirish: i dislike SF & likely wont vote for them but your comment reveals the problem. SF are not the problem. Focus on the problems and we can fix the political issues in this country. You have just excused the behaviour of corrupt politicians in the country with that comment.
@Niall Ó Cofaigh: There’s nothing for nothing Niall. No company would do that for free.
@Allora: some perspective is needed here, borrowing a van & getting a few lads to put up a few posters is not corruption in my book whether it got listed or not.
@Hotirish: you simplified for yourself without looking at potential for corruption. If you cant see the problem then you cant see the problem. Some of us have a deeper understanding of the wrongs of this situation. You may feel its over reacting but we have a long history of this in this country and its usually down to those who are involved now.
additional powers to do what? give ‘em a wag of the finger?.. let them off the hook? Who is the sipo answerable to? is it independent?
This is the same Paschal who claimed mileage expenses going to the Dail on his Bike
Shame on us, we accept this corruption,
@Mick Murp: I think that may have been cabbage head!
If sipo did their job properly would we have any politicians left
have your say