Dinny McGinley (Donegal South West, Fine Gael)
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Question 26: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs if his Department has a code of conduct; if that code includes reference to tackling racist or inappropriate language; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18626/05]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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The staff of the Department of Foreign Affairs are subject to the terms of the Civil Service Code of Standards and Behaviour. Under section 10 of the code, behaviour at work, civil servants are required to ensure that non-discriminatory language is used in all communications, both internal and external, including display material and documents in electronic form. Under section 12, relations with colleagues, civil servants must show due respect for their colleagues and their values and beliefs and must not discriminate against colleagues on the basis of their gender, race, sexual orientation, membership of the Traveller community, disability, age, marital status, family status or religious belief. Copies of the code have been circulated to all staff in the Department and arrangements made to provide copies to all new entrants.