The Public Offices Commission has defended the 10-month delay in holding a public hearing into an alleged breach of the Ethics in Public Office Act by Fianna Fβil TD, Mr Ned O'Keeffe.
The Labour Party leader, Mr Ruair∅ Quinn, has written to the Commission expressing serious concern over its failure to hold a hearing in regard to the complaint he made in December last, under the terms of the Ethics in Public Office Act, 1995.
In a statement yesterday the Commission said this was the first investigation to be carried out under the Act.
It was disappointed that, to date, it had not been possible to proceed to a formal hearing.
"It has always been the intention of the Commission that the investigation would be completed in the least possible time. However, it is of the utmost importance to the Commission that its procedures in conducting the investigation should comply fully with requirements of constitutional and natural justice."
It is understood the Commission is conscious of possible legal challenges.
Mr O'Keeffe, who was Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, voted against a Labour Party private members' motion last November calling for a ban on the feeding of meat-and-bone meal to all animals.
However, Labour says he should have declared in advance that his family farm had a meat-and-bone meal licence, and that he therefore had a material interest in the vote.
The Ethics in Public Office Act requires that such a material interest be declared to the Public Offices Commission in advance of any vote.
In June 19th Mr Quinn wrote to the Commission inquiring as to the status of the complaint and asking for "some indication as to when the Commission might be in a position to make a determination in the matter".
He said yesterday he received a response on June 22nd, telling him the Commission was "finalising arrangements for the holding of sitting(s) for the purpose of the investigation".