Introduction

All members of staff must abide by the legislative and regulatory obligations imposed on Enterprise Ireland.  This Code provides guidance on these obligations and other agreed standards of practice.

The objectives of the Code are to:

• Outline the Enterprise Ireland set of ethical standards of honesty, integrity and fairness;
• Provide guidance on these for each of us as members of staff in our work in Enterprise Ireland.

There are norms of behaviour or conduct, which are expected to be adhered to, in order to protect the interests of the organisation, fellow colleagues and clients.  All staff are expected to, and normally do, behave in a responsible and professional manner at all times in the performance of their duties and in their relationships with colleagues and clients. 

Relationship to other Obligations on Members of Staff

The Code of Conduct operates in conjunction with the organisation's statutory obligations, together with the Board of Enterprise Ireland Code of Conduct and the Client Charter and Guidelines.  This policy is consistent with Enterprise Ireland Core Values that underpin our strategy and it exists alongside the policies applicable in Enterprise Ireland, particularly the Protection of Dignity at Work Policy, Disciplinary Procedures , Grievance Procedures , IT Security Policy, Acceptance of Gifts policy and all other policies adopted by the organisation.

The Code will be reviewed and amended where appropriate.

Fundamental Principles

Confidentiality

Enterprise Ireland staff have a statutory duty of confidentiality, and except as required by law, staff must not disclose any confidential information to third parties (Section 16 of the Industrial Development (Enterprise Ireland) Act 1998).  Confidential information includes commercially sensitive information, information received in confidence and personal information.  This practice will apply both during and after employment at Enterprise Ireland.

Members of staff must also ensure that access to general information relating to Enterprise Ireland's activities is dealt with in an open way and in a manner that enhances the accountability of the organisation to the general public.

Fairness

Enterprise Ireland staff will act with integrity in all business dealings and in relation to all issues raised at Enterprise Ireland.  Members of staff must treat all clients in a courteous and fair manner.

Statutory Obligations

Enterprise Ireland is bound by a range of important statutory obligations, including the Industrial Development and Science and Technology Acts.

As a result, members of staff must:

• Familiarise themselves and comply with any statutory obligations that are relevant to their roles;
• Co-operate with relevant regulatory and statutory bodies;
• Ensure that all entries in records are true, accurate and where relevant, up-to-date;
• Comply with tendering and purchasing procedures and with the prescribed levels of authority for sanctioning any relevant expenditure.

Apart from the obligations on members of staff arising from provisions imposed by statute, members of staff should also use disclaimers / exemption clauses where, in the ordinary course of business, they are providing information or advice to third parties that might be construed as conferring an implied legal obligation on Enterprise Ireland.  If in doubt you should contact Enterprise Ireland's In House Legal Advisor, John Nolan at Tel. (01) 808 2563.

Integrity

Public servants are bound by obligations to act with integrity and to be seen to do so.  Arising from these obligations, Enterprise Ireland staff will:

• Disclose in writing to their Line Manager and Secretary of the Board, any financial interest or other beneficial interest in, or material to, any matter that he or she has involvement in or influence over in his/her capacity as an employee of Enterprise Ireland (Section 15 of the Industrial Development (Enterprise Ireland) Act 1998);
• Commit to act ethically and honestly in all dealings in their role in the organisation;
• Not acquire business information by inappropriate means;
• Ensure that community and public concerns are fully considered;
• Not use Enterprise Ireland's resources for personal gain or for the benefit of persons/organisations unconnected with Enterprise Ireland or its business and activities;
• Avoid giving or receiving corporate gifts, hospitality and preferential treatment or benefits that might affect or appear to affect the ability of the recipient or donor to make independent judgement on transactions at Enterprise Ireland (Acceptance of Gifts policy);
• Be aware that it is a criminal and a civil offence, with serious penalties, for a person who is connected with a public company (including a person that might reasonably be expected to have price sensitive information by virtue of business dealings or other relationships with the company) to deal in securities when s/he is in possession of price sensitive information (Part V of the Companies Act 1990).

Exclusive Nature of Employment

All roles at Enterprise Ireland are whole-time and members of staff may not engage in or be connected with any outside employment, appointments, or activities unless authorised in writing to do so by the organisation.  It is the responsibility of the member of staff to seek and obtain such authorisation from their line manager and to notify the Secretary of the Board.

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