Page 3477 - Week 09 - Thursday, 20 August 2009
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It also says:
Ministers are to ensure that publicly funded publicity that they arrange or approve is relevant to Government responsibilities and is not party political in tone.
Like all similar codes, the code articulates high expectations in relation to conflicts of interest, or perceived conflicts. For example, it says:
A Minister will not knowingly use his or her position, or information gained as a result of that position, for the improper gain of the Minister, the Minister’s close relatives, or of any other person.
A Minister should take all reasonable steps to avoid situations in which his or her private interests, whether pecuniary or otherwise, materially conflict, or have the potential to so conflict, with his or her public duty.
It says:
Disclosure of interests is an important initial step in the avoidance of a material conflict of interest. Ministers as MLAs are obliged by resolution of the Assembly to state their … private interests in the Register of Members’ Interests …
In addition to any obligations imposed upon Ministers as MLAs, Ministers will inform the Chief Minister, or in the case of the Chief Minister, Cabinet, of any situation of potential conflict between their private interests and Executive functions …
Ministers should cease to be actively involved in the day to day conduct of any business in which the Minister was engaged prior to assuming office unless, on some special, technical or other reasonable grounds, the Chief Minister, or in the case of the Chief Minister, Cabinet deems it appropriate for a Minister to continue with that activity.
The code also explicitly addresses the post-ministerial career of former ministers. The code recognises that ministers have access to privileged and sensitive information. It says:
Ministers will maintain the confidentiality of information received in confidence, in Cabinet or otherwise in accordance with their duties …
No Minister will use information obtained in the course of official duties to gain a direct or indirect financial advantage for himself or herself, or any other person. In particular, a Minister should scrupulously avoid investments and transactions about which he or she has confidential information as a Minister which may result in an advantage which is greater than that of any member of the public at large, or any section of the public.
I think it is worth reflecting on the breadth and scope of the significant obligations on ministers created by the code. I do not for a minute complain about those requirements, which are entirely in keeping with the magnitude of the responsibilities of members of the executive. It is right and proper that we are held to high standards
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