What we do

The Standards Commission oversees the administration of legislation in four distinct areas:

The Ethics in Public Office Act 1995 and the Standards in Public Office Act 2001, which set out standards of conduct for public officials, elected and appointed
The Electoral Act 1997, which regulates political financing, including political donations and election expenses
The Oireachtas (Ministerial and Parliamentary Activities) (Amendment) Act 2014, which regulates expenditure of public funds to political parties and independents
The Regulation of Lobbying Act 2015, which makes transparent lobbying of public officials

The Standards Commission also:

provides guidance and advice to stakeholders
oversees compliance, including receiving statutory returns from individuals and organisations subject to the Acts
processes complaints and examines possible wrongdoing under the Acts
undertakes outreach activities to ensure that those with obligations under the Acts (including members of the Oireachtas, election candidates and lobbyists) understand and are able to comply with the Act’s requirements

The Standards Commission is supported in its work by a Secretariat, led by the Head of the Secretariat to the Commission.

Secretariat staff are provided by the Office of the Ombudsman.