Finian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent)
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Question 166: To ask the Minister for Social Protection if she will clarify a matter (details supplied). [38452/11]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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The Civil Service Code of Standards and Behaviour sets out the standards required of civil servants in the discharge of their duties and is an important element of the framework within which all civil servants are expected to work. Areas of the Code that may be relevant in this situation are outlined below.

Section 13 of the Code of Standards states that civil servants are not allowed to use their official positions to benefit themselves or others with whom they have personal, family, business or other ties. Section 14 of the Code states that civil servants may not at any time engage in or be connected with any outside business or activity which would in any way conflict with the interests of their departments/offices, or be inconsistent with their official positions, or tend to impair their ability to carry out their duties as civil servants. For this reason, civil servants intending to be engaged in or connected with any outside business or employment should inform their Personnel/Human Resources Management Section of such an intention.

A civil servant who, in the course of his or her official duties, comes into contact with any matter affecting any commercial undertaking in which he or she has an interest, must immediately disclose the nature and extent of that interest to the Secretary General or Head of Office. A civil servant is not permitted to make representations on behalf of an outside association or organisation, either as an individual or as a member of a delegation, in relation to matters for which his or her Department/Office has responsibility except with the specific prior consent of the Head of his or her Department/Office.

The officer concerned should be advised to contact the Personnel Officer of my Department to clarify the position in relation to their role as a Director on the Board of Marino Fairview Home Help Care Service Limited.