David Cullinane (Waterford, Sinn Fein)
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341. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if it is permissible for a county councillor to work as a clerical officer in the Civil Service. [18197/16]

Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael)
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The Civil Service Code of Standards and Behaviour sets out the standards required of civil servants in carrying out their work and applies to all civil servants. These standards of behaviour and values support a high quality public service, based on high levels of personal performance and responsibility. The standards which underpin the general ethos of the Civil Service also include impartiality.  The Code is available here: .

Specifically in relation to political impartiality, the Code states that Civil servants in the performance of their duties:

(a) must conscientiously serve the duly elected Government of the day, the other institutions of State and the public;

(b) must advise and implement policy impartially and, in particular, be conscious of the need to maintain the independence necessary to give any future Minister or Government confidence in their integrity

and

(c) should not display partiality whether as a result of personal or family ties or otherwise.

To ensure public confidence in the political impartiality of the Civil Service restrictions have traditionally been imposed on civil servants engaging in political activity. These restrictions are set out in Circular 9/2009 available here: .

However, the Code permits members of the clerical grades in the Civil Service, and non-industrial civil servants in grades with salary maximum equal to or below the Clerical Officer maximum, to apply to their Department/Office for permission to engage in politics and to stand for local election. Officers employed on particular types of work may, at the discretion of Departmental management, have their applications refused.  

Accordingly, if a County Councillor was successful in the recruitment process for a Clerical Officer position in the Civil Service, the question of his/her continued involvement in politics would be a matter for the Department/Office to which he/she was assigned.