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Guidelines
From Standards in Public Office Commission (SIPO)
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The Standards Commission oversees ethics, electoral, state finance and lobbying legislation. On this website, you can navigate to information and guidance tailored for you, whatever post you hold.
Civil servants are subject to the Ethics Acts and to a tailored code of conduct that sets out standards of behaviour expected. In order to help you understand your obligations, the Commission also publishes guidance and information notices from time to time.
Corporate donors must register with the Standards Commission if they intend to make political donations over €200.
The Local Government Act 2001 sets out an ethical framework and imposes a statutory duty on local authority members (city and county councillors) to maintain proper standards of integrity, conduct and concern for the public interest.
Are you a candidate or an election agent at a Dáil, Seanad, European or presidential election? If so, you must adhere to the rules on donations and expenditure set out in the Electoral Act and in the Standards Commission’s election and donation guidelines.
If you work in the media and are interested in getting more information on the Standards Commission, see our links below:
For media related queries, please email: media@sipo.ie
Please note the inbox is monitored during office hours.
Local authority employees are required to adhere to the rules set out in the Ethics in Public Office Acts 1995 and 2001, the Local Government Act, 2001 and the Code of Conduct for Local Authority Employees.
Are you a member of the European Parliament? If so, under the Electoral Act, you must disclose election donations and expenses to the Standards Commission, and report annual donations after you are elected.
If you are running for election, you must adhere to the Electoral Act – both during the election and after you are elected.
The European Parliament has a code of conduct for its members. While the Commission oversees the Electoral Act, we have no oversight role on the code of conduct. Contact the European Parliament for more information on the code.
Contact us at the Standards Commission for advice on your obligations under the Electoral Act.
Are you a TD? If so, you have obligations under the Ethics Acts, the Electoral Act, and the Code of Conduct for Members of Dáil Éireann who are not office holders.
The Electoral Act applies when you are running for election and after you are elected. When elected, you must also adhere to the Ethics Acts and the code of conduct.
Contact us at the Standards Commission for advice on your obligations under the Electoral Act.
Contact the Committee on Members’ Interests of Dáil Éireann for advice on the Ethics Acts or the code of conduct, as we do not have authority to advise you in these areas.
Are you a Senator? If so, you have obligations under the Ethics Acts, the Electoral Act and the Code of Conduct for Members of Seanad Éireann who are not office holders.
Are you a minister, Minister of State, ministerial adviser, senior civil or public servant? If so, you are an office holder and have responsibilities under the Ethics Acts and the code of conduct for office holders.
Do you have information about a breach of the Acts? The Standards Commission oversees compliance with the legislation within its remit and may look into possible contraventions.
The Commission is committed to creating a culture that supports the making of protected disclosures and provides protection for reporting persons.
Have you made donations to a member or members of a political party and to the party itself in the same year? If so, you must report these donations to the Standards Commission, using the “24(1)a” donor form.
Guidelines for 24(1)a donors
This is a form for those who have made donations to a member or members of a political party and to the party itself in the same year
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Political parties have obligations under the Electoral Act 1997 and the Oireachtas (Ministerial and Parliamentary Activities Allowance) (Amendment) Act 2014.
Are you an employee of the wider public service – including boards and agencies? If so, you have obligations under the Ethics Acts, which vary according to your position.
The Standards Commission has guidelines on the parliamentary activities allowance, which is paid to leaders of qualifying parties and to independent members of the Dáil or Seanad under the Oireachtas (Ministerial and Parliamentary Activities) (Amendment) Act 2014.
The Commission has guidelines for political parties regarding Exchequer funding under the Electoral Acts and the parliamentary activities allowance.
Third parties have disclosure and reporting obligations to the Commission. We have explanatory notes for third parties in relation to their obligations under the Electoral Act.