Government Ministers have been provided with a handbook of guidelines on how to conduct themselves in a range of areas from Cabinet confidentiality to ethics and conflict of interests.
The "Cabinet handbook", circulated yesterday, replaces the Government Procedure Instructions, the latest edition of which appeared 15 years ago. This is the first time guidelines for Cabinet have been formally published. Copies are available in the Government Stationery Office for £5.
According to the Government, the new handbook places greater emphasis on providing broad guidance for Ministers "in recognition of the increasing complexity of their responsibilities". The importance of confidentiality is repeatedly emphasised in the publication, with Ministers' attention drawn specifically to Article 28.4.3 of the Constitution, which requires the maintenance of strict confidentiality regarding discussions at Cabinet, except where the High Court determines otherwise in the public interest.
The chapter on Government meetings again stresses the necessity for strict confidentiality, insisting that Ministers regard documents circulated for Cabinet as highly secret.
Copies of papers not likely to be required should be disposed of as "confidential waste", as should the envelopes in which they are circulated. Each Minister should ensure a system restricting circulation operates in his or her Department. "If ever a breach of security occurs a special investigation should be initiated by the Secretary General of the author Department, with the Garda Siochana being called in to assist as necessary," the guidebook advises.
While Government records are also subject to the provisions of the Freedom of Information Act, the guidebook points out that certain exceptions are notably defined in that legislation.
Meanwhile, Ministers and Ministers of State should avoid making public statements - or even commenting on policy proposals - which are due to be brought to Government, or which are already under consideration. The guidebook outlines requirements in relation to declaration of Ministers' interests - and those of their families - under the Ethics in Public Office Act. It says also they should draw attention to situations where any matter before the Government is one in which a Minister or his or her family has a material interest. All officeholders - Ministers, the Attorney General, and chairmen of the Dail and Seanad - are expected to stick by the fundamental principle that an offer of gifts, hospitality or services should not be accepted where it would, or might appear to, place them under an obligation. The spouse and children of an officeholder are also covered by the guidelines.
Officeholders, their spouses and children are forbidden to accept property or services worth more than £500 received as a result of holding office. The supplier of property or services must be refunded if they have been already supplied to a Minister or Minister of State or where it is found they have been provided to a spouse or child.
Ministers proposing to visit Northern Ireland should give "a reasonable period" of advance notice to the Ministers for Foreign Affairs and Justice, who will make appropriate arrangements with the authorities there.
A stern warning is given to members of the Government and Ministers of State proposing to go abroad. The Minister for Foreign Affairs should be told "at the first moment such visits are mooted" and the Taoiseach should be consulted not less than two weeks before the proposed visit.