Bertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 6 to 9, inclusive, together.

The code of conduct for office holders was published by the Government in July 2003 pursuant to section 10(2) of the Standards in Public Office Act 2001, following consultation with the Standards in Public Office Commission. On two occasions since the code was launched, I have provided office holders with additional guidance on it in the light of views expressed by the commission. The first occasion was in regard to the use of public resources in the context of public events or advertising. On the second occasion, the guidance related to briefings by civil servants to Members of the Oireachtas.

Deputies will be aware that on 10 October 2006, the Tánaiste and I announced that the Government will bring forward an amendment to the existing ethics legislation to provide that any office holder, or Member of the Dáil or Seanad, who accepts a gift or loan from a friend for personal purposes shall seek the confidential opinion of the Standards in Public Office Commission as to whether the gift or loan in the particular circumstances would be likely to compromise the recipient in the discharge of his or her duties. The House will have an opportunity to discuss this in detail when the relevant Bill is introduced shortly by the Minister for Finance.

When the amending legislation is enacted, the Government, in consultation with the Standards in Public Office Commission, will consider the need to update the code of conduct. Whenever the code is to be updated, it will reflect the additional guidance I have already conveyed to office holders and any further guidance that may be required consequent to enactment of the amending legislation.

See this speech in context