Bertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 1 to 4, inclusive, together.

The code of conduct for office holders was drawn up by the Government pursuant to section 10(2) of the Standards in Public Office Act 2001, following consultation with the Standards in Public Office Commission, and published in July 2003. 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 related 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. These are the only two occasions on which it has been necessary to issue guidance to office holders on the code since it came into operation. We should obtain wider experience about the effectiveness of the code before reviewing it.

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