Bertie Ahern strongly opposed the creation of Ethics Act, which included the setting up of Sipo

"Secret files released as part of the State Papers revealed two senior cabinet ministers - Mr Ahern and defence minister David Andrews - both raised serious reservations about the proposed legislation in 1993 and its impact on the ability of government officials to fulfil their functions. Tnaiste and Labour leader Dick Spring was the driving force behind the legislation. The Kerry TD argued the legislation would enhance transparency in public office."

"The Ethics in Public Office Bill was designed to establish a framework for transparency in public life, requiring office holders - including TDs, senators and senior public servants - to disclose financial interests and gifts as well as follow procedures for the appointment of special advisers. It also provided for the establishment of the Standards in Public Office Commission (Sipo) as well as a register of interests for Houses of the Oireachtas members."

"Mr Ahern's objections to Sipo appeared to be based largely on concern that its activities would adversely impact the abilities of ministers and state bodies from discharging their responsibilities in relation to discipline. It noted that Mr Ahern was arguing that the involvement of the commission in such matters would be counterproductive as it would "dissipate responsibility". Mr Ahern had suggested that it would be preferable for the responsibility of enforcing the Ethics in Public Office Act to be left to ministers and state bodies."

Mr Ahern and David Andrews raised reservations in 1993 about the Ethics in Public Office Bill and its potential to impede government functions. Dick Spring supported the bill to enhance transparency. The bill required TDs, senators and senior public servants to disclose financial interests and gifts, set procedures for appointing special advisers, and created the Standards in Public Office Commission (Sipo) and a register of members' interests. Mr Ahern objected to Sipo, an Oireachtas Select Committee, disclosure of spouses' and children's interests and provisions on state body directors, arguing Sipo would dissipate responsibility and hinder ministers and state bodies. Mr Andrews called the legislation "very extreme and quite unwarranted."

Read at Irish Independent