Attorney General transparency
Deputy Martin Kenny questioned whether the Attorney General’s private work while serving Government undermined the programme for Government’s commitments on integrity and transparency, and asked for the work to be published. The Chair cautioned against implying a lack of integrity, and the Minister defended the Attorney General and said the matter had already been dealt with publicly.
In the programme for Government there is a clear commitment to integrity, high standards and transparency. In recent days, we learned that the Attorney General has been doing private work while at the same time working for the Government. That was going on for almost 18 months after his appointment. I suggest that in the interests of that commitment to integrity in the programme for Government, some regulation needs to be put in place. There should be, at a minimum, a time limit as to when the Attorney General would dispose of private work of that nature-----
Comment on this
I am speaking about the Government's integrity, regarding how it deals with this matter and such matters.
Comment on this
In the interest of transparency, it would be useful were the Government to publish and make clear what work the Attorney General was undertaking during that time, in order that there is no inference from any side as to the integrity of the Attorney General or, indeed, of the office he holds.
Comment on this
The irony is not lost on me that the Member opposite from Sinn Féin is raising the issue of transparency and integrity with us. Leaving that aside, the role of the Attorney General is to advise Government in matters of law and legal opinion. He is exceptionally hard-working, as the Deputy knows. He serves the Government extremely well. The Deputy will be aware that this is the second time the Attorney General has served in this particular role. The matters the Deputy has raised have been dealt with quite clearly. They have been raised in this House and they have been dealt with publicly.