Standards in Public Office Commission
SIPO
Summary
The Standards in Public Office Commission was established under the Standards in Public Office Act 2001 and is chaired by a judge of the Supreme Court or High Court (retired). It administers the ethics framework for public officeholders, including declarations of interests, compliance with ethics legislation, and the Register of Lobbying. The Commission has powers to require production of documents and to examine persons under oath during investigations. Members serve 6-year terms and may be removed only for stated cause by the President on an address of both Houses of the Oireachtas. Reports and investigation findings are laid before the Oireachtas and published without pre-publication review.
Independence Scorecard
| Appointment | Independent commission |
|---|---|
| Term length | 6 years |
| Removal standard | For cause only |
| Budget independence | Legislative line item |
| Subpoena power | Yes |
| Compel testimony | Yes |
| Records access | Full access |
| Public reports required | Yes |
| Pre-publication review | None — reports published directly |
Statute
- Name
- Standards in Public Office Act 2001 (No. 31 of 2001)
- Citation
- No. 31 of 2001
- Full text
- Full text of law →
Jurisdiction scope
Members of the Oireachtas, ministers, senior public servants, and other specified office holders subject to ethics legislation; lobbyist registration and disclosure