The Social Democrats today announced proposals to prevent the waste of taxpayers’ money as part of a range of measures aimed at restoring trust and accountability in politics and public life.
The policy document, ‘Honest Politics, Better Government – Restoring Trust and Accountability in Politics and Public Life’, will be launched by Dublin Central candidate Gary Gannon; Catherine Murphy, who served as vice-chair of the Public Accounts Committee (PAC); and Cllr Eoin Hayes, the Soc Dems’ candidate in Dublin Bay South.
To address the outgoing government’s wanton waste of public money, the party would establish a new Government Accountability Office (GAO) within the Office of the Comptroller and Auditor General.
The GAO would perform the role of a public spending watchdog in real-time; engage with senior civil servants and accounting officers in government departments on an ongoing basis to ensure the public spending code is adhered to; and report to the PAC.
In addition, the Social Democrats would establish a new independent Anti-Corruption Agency to replace toothless ethics watchdog the Standards in Public Office Commission (SIPO). The new agency would also be resourced to take on white collar crime in the corporate world.
Another significant measure would be the removal of automatic Leinster House access for former members of the Seanad or Dáil if they take up lobbyist roles after leaving politics.
The party would also reform the Ministers and Secretaries Act to make senior civil servants accountable for their actions.
Gary Gannon said:
“Accountability, transparency and value for money are not just buzz words for the Social Democrats – they are core principles.
“The Social Democrats have a plan to open up government to scrutiny and improve accountability, while also tackling waste and corruption in politics and public life.
“We believe this can restore confidence and trust in Irish political life and in our democracy.”
Catherine Murphy said:
“People need a government they can trust, and taxpayers deserve to know public money is being invested well in quality public services – not squandered on vanity projects or wasted by overpaying for vital infrastructure.
“Inadequate governance and accountability systems are at the heart of cost overruns involving massive amounts of public resources that could be spent elsewhere. We have seen this with the recent waste of money associated with the Leinster House bike shed and security hut, not to mention the scandalous runaway costs of the National Children’s Hospital.”
Cllr Eoin Hayes said:
“As a small business owner, I know how crucial it is to manage every resource wisely – because waste is costly and leads to delay and failure.
“Regrettably, the outgoing government did not share the same mindset. They have presided over major projects that are billions over budget while value for money, at every level of government, is always an afterthought.
“This cavalier approach to protecting the public purse is not just financially ruinous. It is corrosive of public trust in politics and institutions. It’s time for change.
“The Social Democrats have today published a comprehensive plan to set the country on a new course of transparency, accountability and value for money.
“If given the chance to implement this in government, it will be transformative – ensuring major projects are delivered on budget and on time; ensuring accountability for failure; and restoring public trust in politics.”
November 10, 2024
NOTE: full text of policy here