Vol. 505 No. 6
124 Mr. R. Bruton asked the Minister for Finance the basis on which public servants above a certain level are debarred from membership of political parties; his views on whether the present level of responsibility at which this ban becomes effective is too restrictive; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14229/99]
In general civil servants above clerical officer level, excluding personal assistants and special advisers whose terms of appointment are co-terminous with the appointing Minister, are totally debarred from engaging in politics. The exception is where a civil servant, who holds a position which had been within the clerical officer threshold, has been upgraded through the general restructuring of his or her grade and as a result of which such upgraded position now carries a salary maximum above that of clerical officer.
The policy in this area is based on the need to strike an appropriate balance between the benefits of having as many citizens as possible play an active part in the affairs of the State while at the same time ensuring public confidence in the political impartiality of civil servants. Political impartiality is considered to be at the core of an effective and efficient civil service. In particular, an involvement in political activity could lead to a public perception that civil servants were compromised in the performance of their official duties.
Regarding grades above the present level of responsibility at which the ban becomes effective, in general the duties and responsibilities of these grades would be such that it is imperative that the public retain absolute confidence in their impartiality in the performance of their official duties. Such absolute confidence requires that these grades be excluded from engaging in political activity.
