Tommy Broughan (Dublin North East, Labour)
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Question 476: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if his attention has been drawn to the fact that a senior civil servant in his Department was the guest of an energy company at the Ireland versus France match in Croke Park on Saturday, 14 November 2009; if he will advise if other officers received invitations; if they attended the match and if departmental guidelines were fulfilled in this situation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43223/09]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin South, Green Party)
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I am advised that an official of my Department was a guest of an energy company at the Ireland versus France rugby match in Croke Park on Saturday 14 November last. The information requested in respect of any other members of the staff of my Department who may have been invited to or attended the match as corporate guests will be provided to the Deputy as soon as possible. In relation to receipt of hospitality, civil servants are covered by the Ethics Acts 1995 and 2001 and the Civil Service Code of Standards and Behaviour. In addition, my Department has issued a Personnel Notice on practice in relation to receipt of Gifts and Hospitality. These allow for the acceptance of hospitality in specified circumstances and I am satisfied that the hospitality referred to in the Deputy's question was not in breach of this Guidance.