It is my Department's policy to comply with the provisions of the Ethics in Public Office Acts 1995 and 2001. These acts apply to Public Servants who hold positions whose maximum salary is not less than the maximum salary of a principal officer (general service grade class B PRSI) and to other positions in the Public service that have been prescribed by the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform as "designated positions" for the purposes of the Ethics Acts. Typically these are positions that interface with the commercial sector and are listed in Appendix 2 of the "Guidelines on Compliance with the Provisions of the Ethics in Public Office Acts 1995 and 2011. The latest edition of these Guidelines was issued in November 2011. Section 4.2 of the Central Bank of Ireland's Staff Code of Ethics and Behaviour (Code) (revised and issued in July 2011) provides that management and staff should avoid any situation that would result in a conflict of interest or the appearance of a conflict in their official dealings, particularly in the context of the receipt of gifts or business hospitality. Failure to adhere to the organisation's rules on the acceptance of gifts and business hospitality may result in disciplinary action.
The covered banks policies are as follows:
AIB:
AIB has a Code of Conduct for all staff which covers, inter alia, the receipt of gifts. AIB Management and Staff may accept or provide entertainment or gifts only if they are not intended to compromise independent decision making, are small in value and comply with applicable laws and regulations and are in accordance with internal thresholds. Internal requirements are in place for declaration and approval of gifts received.
BOI:
Bank of Ireland's Code of Conduct prohibits all staff from accepting any gifts that might influence the decisions that they or others make in business transactions involving the Bank, or that others might reasonably believe would influence their decisions, or compromise the integrity or ability of the staff member to exercise independent judgement. If in doubt regarding the appropriateness of a gift, invitation or other benefit, staff are advised to discuss the matter with their manager.
IBRC:
As part of IBRC's wider ‘Conflicts of Interest Policy', the Bank's policy with regards to gifts, hospitality and other benefits states that in general, directors and employees must not accept gifts or the conveyance of anything of value (including entertainment) from current or prospective Bank customers or suppliers. Similarly, directors and employees may not accept or allow a close family member to accept gifts, services, loans or preferential treatment from anyone (including customers, suppliers or others) in exchange for or in connection with a past, current or future business relationship with the Bank.
Permanent TSB:
Permanent TSB's Code of Ethics states that "No gifts, sponsorships, hospitality, services or inducements should ever be offered or given by you (other than arising in approved business development activity), or be solicited or accepted by you, which would compromise, or give the appearance of compromising, your position, your duties or any business decision taken by you on behalf of the Group. If you are in any doubt as to the propriety of accepting any gift, sponsorship, hospitality or services, you should refer the matter to your Line Manager and/or the Compliance Officer for your division. All gifts, sponsorship, hospitality or services offered to you in excess of €300 must be approved in advance by your Line Manager."
