47 Proinsias De Rossa asked the Minister for Finance the position regarding proposed regulations to restrict positions that can be taken up by civil servants on leaving the public service or to place or to set a time period during which positions could not be taken up; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12402/02]

The draft Civil Service code of standards and behaviour includes provisions which are aimed at avoiding a conflict of interest where officials accept an outside appointment or consultancy engagement within 12 months following resignation or retirement from the Civil Service. The draft code was approved by Government on 21 November 2000 and referred to the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance and Public Service on 5 December 2000. Officials from my Department made a presentation to the committee on 13 March 2001.

The Joint Oireachtas Committee has not yet completed its deliberations on the code. They have indicated that they wish to receive a presentation from the civil service unions before finalising their deliberations. In fact the committee is currently awaiting a response from the unions about a possible date for their presentation.