Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 13 June 2023
395. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform the restrictions currently in place for civil servants and public servants contesting local government elections. [27061/23]
View answerReference: 27061/23 for written answer 12/06/23.
I would like to highlight the provisions of the Civil Service Code of Standards and Behaviour ('the Code') (part 2, sections 5.1 to 5.4 – ‘Civil Servants and Politics’) which 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.
The Code forms part of the terms of employment of all civil servants, who are expected to adhere to it at all times. The Code is available on prod-g2g-assets.s3.amazonaws.com/documents/Civil-Service-Code-of-Standards-and-Behaviour_1.pdf
Additionally, I would also like to highlight Section 9 of Circular 9/2009 ‘Civil Servants and Political Activity’ which makes reference to the specific restrictions imposed on civil servants engaging in political activity in Local Elections. The circular containing these restrictions is available on circulars.gov.ie/pdf/circular/finance/2009/09.pdf
