The matter of integrity, whether this relates to the reported forced resignation of the Deputy Chairman of the Airports Authority of T&T or to matters affecting the Integrity Commission, has once again been brought into the public domain.It is clear that much is not right in the State of Denmark and that no mere burying of our heads in the sand will obliterate this reality.One cannot deny that expressions such as Trickidad, pull a string, who you know, and run something have found their way into the local vernacular.
In the case of the Integrity Commission, the following questions come to mind:
1. What Commission can be expected to function satisfactorily if its Chairman and/or its members, for whatever reason, regularly demit office within one year of appointment?
2. What Commission can function satisfactorily if it is forever being bombarded with complaints or threats of complains, the veracity of which may be in doubt?
3. What Commission, armed by law with investigative powers, is considered worthy if it happens not to be in control of its own personnel who possess the skills necessary for it to carry out its functions and to enforce its orders?
4. Finally, what Commission, wishing to take its place as a proper, constitutionally ordained institution, could be expected to attain such status if the appointment of its members is subjected to an input or endorsement by a political apparatus in the guise of consultation, whose supporters could very well be the major subjects of the work of the Commission?
In this last case, I think the appointment of members of the Integrity Commission ought to be by the President, in his own right and without consultation, as is being done with the Independent Senators.
It is clear that the imminent appointment of new commissioners will not solve what are deep-seated and ingrained issues affecting the Integrity Commission. What is required is a study of what, inter alia, ought to be: (a) the role and function of the Commission, (b) the size of the Commission, (c) the method of appointment and qualifications of its members and (d) the resources of the Commission.Should the Commission's activities be placed within a special budget assigned to the Office of the President?