Oireachtas Joint and Select Committees

Tuesday, 8 February 2022

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence

Review of Workplace Arrangements: Department of Foreign Affairs

Photo of Gerard CraughwellGerard Craughwell (Independent)
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The first paragraph of the disciplinary code states:

The purpose of this Code is to set out the arrangements for dealing with disciplinary matters in the Civil Service. It is also to ensure that all civil servants are aware that if there is [any] failure to adhere to the required standards of conduct, work performance and attendance, the disciplinary procedure [of] this Circular will apply.

Clearly, the breach that took place was detrimental to the Civil Service code. It brought the Department into disrepute. It brought several members of the Department into disrepute yet the Secretary General did not invoke the disciplinary procedure. Why?