Catherine Martin (Dublin Rathdown, Green Party)
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All employees of this Department, as part of the the terms of their employment, are obliged to adhere to the Civil Service Code of Standards and Behaviour. Part 2 of this Code, sections 5.1 to 5.4 - 'Civil Servants and Politics’ states that civil servants above clerical level cannot stand for local election. Civil servants in clerical grades and certain non-industrial civil servants are free to engage in politics and may stand for local election. Eligible civil servants are expected to apply to their Department/Office for permission to engage in politics and may, at the discretion of their Department/Office, have their application refused where any conflict of interest is identified.

Employees must also comply with Circular 09/2009: 'Civil Servants and Political Activity' which elaborates on the Code and the rules that apply to civil servants in relation to politics and political activity including local elections .

Section 5 of the Code of Practice for the Governance of State Bodies (2016) requires that all State Bodies have published Codes of Conduct for their Board and employees, and recommends that Codes of Conduct specifically address the matters of ethics in public office, conflicts of interest and compliance requirements. The Ombudsman’s Guide to Standards of Best Practice for Public Servants (2003) also specifically addresses impartiality and conflicts of interest. My Department also directs its aegis bodies to the requirements of Circular 09/2009, as best practice in this area. It is the responsibility of bodies under the aegis of my Department to uphold and apply their Codes of Conduct, as appropriate.