Office Holders

1.5. Highest ethical standards to be applied at all times

In addition to complying with those formal requirements, office holders should at all times observe the highest standards of behaviour and act in good faith with transparency, fairness and impartiality to promote the common good in the performance of their official functions.

Ministerial office holders, in the performance of their functions, need to
respect the particular requirements of the many different and distinct roles

that they hold, e.g. as a member of Cabinet, as a Minister of a Department of State, as an elected public representative.

Ministers also have a responsibility to ensure that special advisers are accountable to them for the performance of their functions in accordance with the provisions of the Public Service Management Act, 1997.

Special advisers cease to hold their position when the relevant Minister ceases to hold office as outlined in the Public Service Management Act, 1997.

Office holders in particular should

- act only by reference to and dedicate the resources of their offices in furtherance of the public interest
- make decisions and encourage and support the making of decisions on merit and without discrimination
- not be influenced in their official duties by personal considerations
- be accountable for their decisions
- protect the integrity of the offices they hold
- respect confidences entrusted to them in the course of their official duties
- respect at all times the role of the Accounting Officers of their Departments and the obligations of staff under the Civil Service Code of Conduct.

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