My Department does not have public offices involving regular interface with members of the public. However, at all times my Department employees must operate within the Civil Service Code of Standards and Behaviour which sets out the standards required of civil servants in the discharge of their duties. In the performance of their duties, civil servants must maintain high standards in service delivery by, amongst other standards, always acting within the law and performing their duties with efficiency, diligence and courtesy. A civil servant must observe appropriate behaviour at work by dealing with the public sympathetically, fairly and promptly. The work of the Civil Service is carried out within a framework of law. It is the duty of civil servants to respect these legal constraints, in particular never to act in a manner which they know, or suspect, is illegal, improper, or unethical. Any report from a member of the public alleging improper conduct including sexual harassment or assault occurring on the property of my Department will be examined within this code. If the member of the public alleges any breach of the law, they may contact An Garda Siochána directly.
The Civil Service code of Standards and Behaviour is widely available on the internet.
The only State body under the aegis of my Department is the Army Pensions Board and the only staff post is the secretary to the Board, which is provided from the staff of the Department.
Furthermore, I am advised by the military authorities that where a complaint of unacceptable behaviour is made by a civilian against a member of the Defence Forces or where an allegation is made by a member of the Defence Forces against a civilian, the Military Police will automatically refer the case to An Garda Siochána.
