Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 357: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the rules and regulations for local authorities in respect of outings (details supplied); the legal position in relation to same; and his views on whether a conflict of interest may exist in a situation such as this. [21034/09]

John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
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The ethical framework that applies to local authority councillors and employees is contained in the Local Government Act 2001 and Codes of Conduct that have been issued under that Act. The Act requires such councillors and employees to maintain proper standards of integrity, conduct and concern for the public interest. It also provides that they may not accept any reward or favour for anything done or not done by virtue of their office or employment. The issue of the acceptance of hospitality is also dealt with in the Codes of Conduct which, inter alia, specify that every care must be taken by councillors and employees to ensure that any acceptance of hospitality does not influence them in discharging their official functions.

Where a possible contravention of the framework arises, it is the responsibility of the locally-appointed Ethics Registrar to bring the issue to the attention of the Cathaoirleach and/or the manager who in the first instance, have responsibility for considering such matters under the Act. The Act provides for offences and penalties for breaches of the framework. I have no function in considering such matters.