‘We can’t check on members’ interests’
Monday 27th June 2011, 2:29PM BST.
THE States does not have the right system to check deputies’ interests, it has been claimed.
States Assembly and Constitution Committee chairman Ivan Rihoy (pictured) said the current process whereby members’ interests were documented but were not checked, was a concern.
Deputy Rihoy, whose committee is responsible for overseeing the rules of procedure, said there were ways and means whereby if deputies did not want to declare an interest, they did not.
‘We tend to rely on people’s honesty but in today’s market you have to be more careful. We are not saying that people are lying but we have to be sure that if someone has filled in something it is correct,’ Deputy Rihoy said.
He said that in his opinion, no matter how big or small the interest, it should be declared.
- Read the full story in the Guernsey Press. See below for subscription details. Individual editions are now available online.
- To read Guernsey Press stories in full click here for subscription details. Individual editions are now available online.
Island Life
All about Guernsey
Ambassador of the Year 2011
History & Heritage
Visitor Information
Guernsey's government
Campaigns
Voice For Victims
Voice for Victims is a campaign aimed at promoting the rights of those affected by child sexual abuse.
This is Guernsey
Guernsey Press
Useful Links
Its about time a more stringent system was brought into Guernsey’s Code of Conduct and the way complaints are investigated. At Present the whole system is opaque and does nothing for an allegedly open and transparent Government.The Guernsey Code of Conduct for Members doesn’t even compare with the UK Ministerial Code and it should be looking at that code for new Guidelines.
Deputy Rihoy’s statement hits the nail on the head:” States member’s must be seen to be doing the right thing where a conflict of interest is concerned.
Not the case on a number of occasions at present.
Report abuse
States members checking on other States members? They are hardly going to rat one another out now are they?
If they can’t actually check up on what the other Deputies are up to WHY have the committee at all?
Another farcical waste of my taxes.
Report abuse
Errrr sorry, but at every meeting you are meant to note if there are any changes to declarations of interest, which is normally straight after you have decided on your chairman, this is then logged onto a register of interest. Most other companies etc do this as a matter of course so why not the states and it its it not statutory under the new Company law!!! mmmmmmm something not right here.
Report abuse
…..no problem about the honesty factor…the world is top heavy with honest politicians…and by the way I have an interest in a Dinky toy left abandoned in my garden.
Report abuse
@ Vic
Shame on yer then, although disclosure will be allowed, if it is still boxed.
Rep Rihoy is getting all uptight about recent “non disclosures”, which they weren’t. I suppose if you are known as father of the House, you have to uprise occasionally, and I think he has been prodded to say something….. or other….by other reps….
Report abuse
I wonder if Dave Jones has any comments on this?
Personally I believe that all deputies should have to make a categorical delaration as to whether they benefit from any States contracts, whether directly or indirectly. That would at least allow the public to judge whether they are acting in the best interests of themselves or of the island. What are the chances of that happening? I’d take a stab at zero, with too many of them having too much to hide.
Report abuse