Ethics and Declarations of Interest

Ethics and Declaration of Interest

Under the Local Government Act 2001 provision has been made for an ethical framework to operate within local government. It includes a publicly accessible register.

Implementation of the new ethics framework.

The new ethics framework for members and for relevant employees was implemented with effect from 1 January 2003. This required a number of actions to be taken by local authorities, such as putting procedures in place to deal with:

• The systems of annual declaration by elected members and relevant employees; and
• The disclosure requirements of the Act for elected members and relevant employees about matters that may arise on occasion and in which they have a beneficial interest.

Louth County Council assigns the duties of Ethics by Chief Executive’s Order, under Section 173 of the Act. The Ethics Registrar is responsible for the issue of the annual declaration forms to councillors and relevant employees.  Nobody may hold this position for more than two consecutive years.

Ethics Register

A register of interests is compiled from the annual declarations and made available for public inspection.

Part 15 and Relevant Employees

The employees to whom Part 15 will apply are known as "relevant employees".

Main features of Part 15 of Local Government Act, 2001 are:

• Members and relevant employees must furnish an annual declaration of interests.
• A public register of such interests is maintained by each local authority.
• A member must disclose any financial or other beneficial interest s/he or a "connected person" has in any matter that comes before a meeting. A relevant employee must do likewise in case of any matter with which s/he is concerned in the course of work.
• A member or relevant employee is prohibited from seeking to influence any matter with which the local authority is concerned in which they or a connected person has a beneficial interest.
• An official (Ethics Registrar) to be assigned by manager has responsibility for issue of annual declaration forms and related matters.
• It is the duty of members and relevant employees to maintain proper standards of integrity, conduct and concern for the public interest.
• A prohibition exists on seeking, exacting or accepting any fee or reward for anything done or not done by virtue of position or office.
• Codes of conduct for Councillors and Codes of Conduct for Employees, have been issued by the Minister for the Environment, Heritage & Local Government.
• Failure to comply with the annual declaration or disclosure requirements is an offence under the Act.
• A Chief Executive (or Cathaoirleach in the case of a Chief Executive) informed of possible contravention of Part 15 is required to consider what action should be taken.

Contact Details

Ethics Registrar Louth County Council County Hall

Millennium Centre

Dundalk

Co. Louth

Email: ethics@louthcoco.ie

Tel: 042-9335457