I propose to take Questions Nos. 158 and 159 together.
Civil Servants at my Department are subject to the terms of the Civil Service Code of Standards and Behaviour. Section 20 of the said Code addresses the matter of officials engaging in private sector employment or in consultancy work following resignation or retirement.
Section 22 of the Regulation of Lobbying Act, 2015 addresses the matter of Designated Public Officials engaging in employment and or consultancy work following resignation or retirement.
Under the Code of Practice and the Regulation of Lobbying Act, the onus is on the individual former employee to inform and seek consent from the appropriate authority, i.e. the Secretary General of the Department or the Outside Appointments Board, as appropriate. This consent is required if they intend to take up employment within one year of their retirement or resignation which could constitute a conflict of interest in the context of section 20 of the Code of Conduct.