Michael Fitzmaurice (Roscommon-Galway, Independent)
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648. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of staff within his Department that have a flock or herd number registered in their name; the number of these staff that have received permission to represent themselves as flock or herd number holders on issues with his Department; the number of staff that are members of, or affiliated to, a farm organisation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42856/20]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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The number of staff within the Department that have a flock or herd number registered in their name is not recorded centrally by my Department.

The Civil Service Code of Standards and Behaviour sets out the standards of behaviour required of civil servants as they carry out their duties. The Code, which embraces core public service values of honesty, integrity and impartiality forms part of the terms of employment of all civil servants, who are expected to apply it at all times.

Section 14 of the Code sets out the requirements for employees, in terms of conflicts or potential conflicts of interest with the business of their Department or Office.

While staff are not precluded from membership of outside organisations/associations, they are required to declare this activity if it presents a conflict or a potential conflict of interest with their work in the Department.

My Department has introduced a number of measures, including the appointment of a Compliance Officer, to ensure appropriate monitoring and management of any conflicts or potential conflicts of interest. This is done in a pragmatic way at central and local levels with a view to ensuring enhanced compliance levels among staff with both the Ethics Acts and the Civil Service Code of Standards and Behaviour.