People Before Profit TD Paul Murphy today said “SIPO’s explanation for its failure to publish its damning report into my complaint against Robert Troy, completed on 21 October 2024 but not published until 10 December, is incredible. They claim that they decided not to release it because they were mindful of SIPO’s role as ‘an impartial and independent body’.
However, they acted in a decidedly partial way, by acting to shield Robert Troy from the consequences of his actions. Why did SIPO choose to keep vital information from the public? It seems that they were acting in the opposite manner to which they should. Their purpose is to be a watchdog for corrupt and unethical behaviour of politicians. The most significant power they have is the power of public exposure. Here instead they chose not to use this power by delaying publication until after the public had the opportunity to pass judgement on Troy and his party.
This decision is extremely troubling. Together with the refusal of SIPO to investigate Leo Varadkar until compelled to do so by the High Court, it raises a very serious question mark over their capacity or willingness to act against corruption and unethical behaviour.”