Despite huge rise in complaints SIPO finishes year without single ongoing investigation

SIPO finished last year without a single investigation underway – despite a 63 percent rise in complaints against public officials.

It received 186 complaints under the Ethics Acts last year – up from 114 in 2024 – with another 73 carried over from previous years. 

According to its annual report published earlier this week 113 complaints were carried unresolved into 2026.

The commission opened three preliminary inquiries and only held one investigation hearing last year, which found against former Fianna Fáil councillor Tommy Reilly.

One unidentified Oireachtas member's tax clearance return – required within nine months of election–- remained outstanding at the end of 2025, according to the report.

SIPO has faced several legal actions for failing to fulfil its statutory functions.

The Ditch succeeded in a 2023 judicial review against SIPO over its failure to release donation statements. 

TD Paul Murphy won a High Court challenge the following year over the watchdog’s refusal to investigate ex-Fine Gael Taoiseach Leo Varadkar.