Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Social Democrats)
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235. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the protocols and or guidelines he has issued in respect of the use of personal social media accounts by officials in his Department; the number of sanctions imposed by his Department on its own officials in the past ten years to date in respect of social media output by its officials, verbal, written or otherwise; if social media platforms are restricted on his Department’s network; if an application (details supplied) is available to use and or download onto Department-issued mobile phones; and if not, if it is barred from use. [14513/23]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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Departmental staff are required, at all times, to follow the Civil Service Code of Conduct in their duties as civil servants and representatives of the Department.

The Department maintains specific guidelines in respect of the use of personal/unofficial social media accounts by Departmental officials. These guidelines state that Departmental staff can use social media in their own personal capacity, but are advised to exercise caution in sharing content and topics related to the Department’s work. Staff are advised that whether using personal or official accounts, online conduct must adhere to the Civil Service Code of Conduct and remains subject to the Civil Service Disciplinary Code.

Staff are routinely advised on compliance with these guidelines. There have been no formal sanctions imposed by my Department on officials with respect to social media output in the last ten years.

The use of Department issued mobile devices complies with the guidance provided by the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC). This guidance is based on risk assessments appropriate to the circumstances and is kept under continuous review by the NCSC.

The Department expects all users of official devices to exercise appropriate discretion in their use, and in using relevant communications services in line with appropriate usage policies.