The Government is to consider a new code of conduct to ensure that high ethical standards are maintained by the State's 30,000 civil servants.
The code, which will also apply to the special advisers of government ministers, is likely to set down what constitutes a conflict of interest for civil servants in the performance of their roles. A "decontamination period" between the departure of an individual from the service and their taking up a position in the private sector is also being considered.
A recent trend has developed of senior civil servants, in particular staff of the Revenue Commissioners, leaving to take up positions in similar work areas in the private sector. Three special advisers to the Taoiseach have gone to lobbying positions in the private sector since June 1997.
Doubts still remain over the constitutionality of such a proposal, which could be seen as impacting on the personal rights of individuals. The Attorney General is likely to be asked to determine the proposal in the final document.
No single document deals with the conduct of civil servants. Since the 1920s the Department of Finance has issued circulars on matters of conduct, while disciplinary and grievance codes exist.
While the Ethics in Public Office Act, 1997, sets out general issues relating to the performance of special advisers, the code is expected to be far more specific on behavioural matters for all civil servants.
The code will be complementary to the Standards in Public Office Bill which will deal with a range of aspects of conduct in public life.
The Government has proposed that the new legislation be monitored by a commission with the power to investigate possible financial irregularity by politicians or public servants.
The Civil Service code is expected to address what constitutes a conflict of interest in a comprehensive manner, and to advise civil servants on how to deal with matters such as gifts received in various forms, including the use of property, below-cost charges and benefit in kind.
The issue of possible conflict of interest where civil servants take up positions in the private sector was also raised in the Committee of Public Accounts report on the DIRT inquiry. The committee asked the Department to report on the issue by June.
The draft code of conduct is being discussed by the Implementation Group of the Strategic Management Initiative, which aims to improve the quality of service delivery in the Civil Service.
The group is chaired by the secretary-general of the Department of the Taoiseach, Mr Paddy Teahon. Its membership is drawn from all government departments and includes the most senior civil servants in the State.
The code will be discussed with trade union representatives before a final version goes to the Cabinet for approval. One official source, who described the code as a "framework for behaviour", said work on the document was well advanced.
The code is expected to become a model for all the public service, with necessary adjustments made to account for work practices in other areas such as local authorities.