Vol. 517 No. 3
76 Mrs. Owen asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if there are regulations in her Department concerning acceptance of hospitality from businesses by members of staff or by staff in any of the agencies under the aegis of her Department; if she has satisfied herself that no inappropriate hospitality has been accepted in this regard; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9625/00]
Senior staff in my Department are required to comply with the provisions of the Ethics in Public Office Act, 1995. This Act prohibits the acceptance of gifts, travel facilities, property and services over a value of £500 within a 12 month period. I have been assured that no inappropriate hospitality has been accepted by staff of my Department.
All of the agencies of my Department also comply with the provisions of the Ethics in Public Office Act. The following agencies – Forfás, Enterprise Ireland, IDA Ireland, FÁS, the Health and Safety Authority and Shannon Development – have policies in place to ensure that inappropriate hospitality is not accepted by staff members. The policy for all agencies clearly states that employees may not accept gifts or favours in whatever form, which could place them in a compromising situation.
The National Standards Authority of Ireland and the Crafts Council of Ireland are at present in the process of developing a policy concerning the acceptance of hospitality by staff members. I have been assured by the agencies that no inappropriate hospitality has been accepted by staff members.
