Vol. 534 No. 2
30 Mr. Rabbitte asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government the reports he has received from county managers regarding breaches by local authority staff of their conditions of employment, especially in regard to planning matters, which he reported to Dail Eireann on 22 February 2001 were due by 4 April 2001; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10150/01]
As the Deputy is aware, on 4 January, I wrote to local authority managers about the matter of staff engaging in activities which were incompatible with their official roles. I asked managers to check the position in relation to the local authorities for which they were responsible and to report on the outcome of this exercise within three months. I asked for confirmation at that stage that the managers were now satisfied that no member of staff was currently involved in private activities which were incompatible with his or her official role.
As of 4 April, I had received reports from all managers. The reports indicate that issues of local authority officials engaging in private practise to varying degrees did come to light, either as a result of this exercise or in the normal course. In all cases, the managers dealt with these matters through disciplinary procedures up to and including suspension. In some cases, officials resigned or took career breaks. The managers, who have primary responsibility for control and direction of staff in the local authorities, have generally stated that the actions that they have taken have left them satisfied that in so far as private practise in breach of Local Government (Officers) Regulations, 1984 was engaged in, that this practise has now ceased.
I have stated in the past, and will repeat here today, that I am very concerned with any activities that undermine public confidence in local authorities in general and the planning system in particular. This exercise was necessary not only to ensure that any malpractice was unearthed and stamped out, but also to protect the reputation of the very many local authority officials who continue to discharge their duties with absolute integrity. I fully expect that each manager will continue to strictly monitor the situation and take strong disciplinary measures against any officials whose actions bring the system into disrepute.
