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Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 31 May 1995

Vol. 453 No. 7

Written Answers. - Code of Conduct.

Bertie Ahern

Question:

26 Mr. B. Ahern asked the Taoiseach if Ministers and Ministers of State are precluded under Government Ethics guidelines from holding press conferences and photocalls at the offices of companies in which they have a shareholding. [9868/95]

Bertie Ahern

Question:

27 Mr. B. Ahern asked the Taoiseach his views on the stated position of one of his predecessors, Dr. Garret Fitzgerald, that Ministers and Ministers of State should not carry on dealings in a professional practice while they are Ministers. [9878/95]

Bertie Ahern

Question:

28 Mr. B. Ahern asked the Taoiseach his views on whether he is applying the same code of conduct for Ministers and Ministers of State as was outlined to Dáil Éireann in 1986 (Volume 369, Column 3); and his further views on whether his decision in relation to the former Minister for Defence and for the Marine was compatible with the code as it applied in 1986. [9886/95]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 26 to 28, inclusive, together.

The code of conduct for Ministers and Ministers of State to which the Deputy refers and which has been applied by successive administrations, both before and since 1986, continues to apply.

The only variation to this code is that, upon assuming office, I took the unprecedented step of requesting all Ministers and Ministers of State to furnish me with a declaration of their financial interests. This request was complied with in every case. I have already explained in detail to the House the circumstances surrounding the resignation of Deputy Hugh Coveney as a Minister and his subsequent appointment as a Minister of State. The action take was not because Minister of State, Deputy Coveney, was unfit for office, but because, in my opinion, he made a single mistake for which he must be held accountable. By taking the course of action which I did, I showed that I expected — and will continue to expect — the highest standards from Ministers and Ministers of State.
As the Deputy will be aware, there is no rule prohibiting Ministers or Ministers of State from holding press conferences or photocalls at the offices of companies in which they have a shareholding.
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