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Updated to 23 October 2025 (Act No. 10 of 2025 and S.I. No. 506 of 2025)

All effects below are reflected in the most recent Revised Act.

Ethics In Public Office Act 1995
No. 22 of 1995

Contents

Commencement

Section Commencement/Effective Date
Where the commencement and effective dates differ, the effective date is shown below.
 Commencement Information
Ss. 1-4 1 November 1995 Ethics in Public Office Act 1995 (Commencement) Order 1995 (S.I. No. 282 of 1995), arts. 2(1)
Ss. 5-12  insofar as it relates to Dáil Éireann and its members, the Clerk of Dáil Éireann, committees of Dáil Éireann and their members and clerks, and joint committees of Dáil and Seanad Éireann and their members and clerks 1 January 1996 Resolution of Dáil Éireann: Debates Volume 457, 26 October 1995, Ethics in Public Office Act, 1995: Motion
Ss. 5-12 insofar as it relates to Seanad Éireann and its Members, the Clerk of Seanad Éireann, committees of Seanad Éireann and their members and clerks, and joint committees of Seanad and Dáil Éireann and their members and clerks 1 January 1996 Resolution of Seanad Éireann: Debates Volume 145, 15 November 1995, Ethics in Public Office Act, 1995: Motion
Ss. 13-15 other than insofar as they relate to the Chairman and Deputy Chairman of Dáil Éireann and the Chairman and Deputy Chairman of Seanad Éireann 1 November 1995 Ethics in Public Office Act 1995 (Commencement) Order 1995 (S.I. No. 282 of 1995), arts. 2(1)
Ss. 13-15 insofar as it relates to the Chairman and Deputy Chairman of Dáil Éireann 1 January 1996 Resolution of Dáil Éireann: Debates Volume 457, 26 October 1995, Ethics in Public Office Act, 1995: Motion
Ss. 13-15 insofar as it relates to the Chairman and Deputy Chairman of Seanad Éireann 1 January 1996 Resolution of Seanad Éireann: Debates Volume 145, 15 November 1995, Ethics in Public Office Act, 1995: Motion
Ss. 16-20 1 November 1995 Ethics in Public Office Act 1995 (Commencement) Order 1995 (S.I. No. 282 of 1995), arts. 2(1)
Ss. 21-27 other than insofar as they relate to members of Dáil Éireann and Seanad Éireann 1 November 1995 Ethics in Public Office Act 1995 (Commencement) Order 1995 (S.I. No. 282 of 1995), arts. 2(1)
Ss. 21-27 insofar as they relate to members of Dáil Éireann 1 January 1996 Resolution of Dáil Éireann: Debates Volume 457, 26 October 1995, Ethics in Public Office Act, 1995: Motion
Ss. 21-27 insofar as they relate to Members of Seanad Éireann 1 January 1996 Resolution of Seanad Éireann: Debates Volume 145, 15 November 1995, Ethics in Public Office Act, 1995: Motion
Ss. 28-28 other than insofar as they relate to  members of Dáil Éireann and Seanad Éireann 1 November 1995 Ethics in Public Office Act 1995 (Commencement) Order 1995 (S.I. No. 282 of 1995), arts. 2(1)
Ss. 28-38 insofar as it relates to members of Dáil Éireann 1 January 1996 Resolution of Dáil Éireann: Debates Volume 457, 26 October 1995, Ethics in Public Office Act, 1995: Motion
Ss. 28-38  insofar as it relates to Members of Seanad Éireann 1 January 1996 Resolution of Seanad Éireann: Debates Volume 145, 15 November 1995, Ethics in Public Office Act, 1995: Motion

Amendments and other effects

How AffectedAffecting Provision
Act included in collectively cited Ethics in Public Office Acts 31/2001, s. 29(2), (3)
Applied 42/2004, ss. 3(1), 3(2), 13(1)(d)
  22/2008, s. 36(7)(col. cit.)
  37/2010, ss. 1(4), 33(12), 38(12) (col. cit.)
  19/2011, ss. 1(6), 44(7) (col. cit.)
  13/2014, s. 1(4), 24(3)
Applied (excl. ss. 19(2), 19(6)(a)) 27/1997, ss. 11(5), 14(2)
Applied with necessary modifications 37/2001, ss. 7, 180(2)
  31/2001, ss. 11(b), 29(2)
Construction of references amended 31/2001, ss. 15, 29(2)
Non-application of 10/2004, ss. 12(1), 13(2)
  5/1999, ss. 10, 11(2)
Removal for contravention of 41/2011, ss. 1(2), 27(1)(d) (col. cit.)
  10/2010, s. 17(1)(d)
Restricted 31/2001, ss. 12, 29(2)
Saver S.I. No. 492 of 2008, rls. 2, 31(1)(col. cit.)
Transfer of functions under S.I. No. 89 of 2023, arts. 1(2), 2-4, schedule
  S.I. No. 418 of 2011, arts. 1(2), 3, schedule 1
S. 2 designated directorship prescribed S.I. No. 32 of 1997, reg. 4, schedule 2
S. 2 "designated positions" prescribed S. I. No. 699 of 2004, regs. 2, 4, 5, 6, schedule
  S. I. No. 698 of 2004, regs. 2, 4, schedule
  S.I. No. 32 of 1997, reg. 5, schedule 2
  S. I. No. 57 of 1996, reg. 3
S. 2 applied 33/2004, ss. 3, 7
S. 2(1) definition of Minister construed S.I. No. 89 of 2023, arts. 1(2), 2-4, schedule
  S.I. No. 418 of 2011, arts. 1(2), 3, schedule 1
S. 2(1) amended 24/2010, ss. 1(2), 97, schedule, pt. 1, item 11
  31/2001, ss. 13(1), 29(2), schedule 1
S. 2(2), (3) amended 31/2001, ss. 13(1), 29(2), schedule 1
S. 2(4) amended 1/2003, s. 119, schedule 3
S. 5(1) arrangements for issuing of forms under 31/2001, ss. 20(1), 29(2)
S. 5(1), (2) amended 31/2001, ss. 13(1), 29(2), schedule 1
S. 5(2) amended S.I. No. 562 of 2001, art. 3
S. 5(3A) inserted 31/2001, ss. 13(1), 29(2), schedule 1
S. 6(4)(a), (4)(b)(ii) amended 31/2001, ss. 13(1), 29(2), schedule 1
S. 7(2A) inserted 31/2001, ss. 13(1), 29(2), schedule 1
S. 7(3) amended 31/2001, ss. 13(1), 29(2), schedule 1
S. 8(1A) inserted 31/2001, ss. 13(1), 29(2), schedule 1
S. 8(2), (3), (4) amended 31/2001, ss. 13(1), 29(2), schedule 1
S. 8(6), (7) inserted 53/2015, ss. 10(3), 8
S. 9 application restricted 31/2001, ss. 8, 29(2)
S. 9(1) amended 31/2001, ss. 13(1), 29(2), schedule 1
S. 9(2) substituted 31/2001, ss. 13(1), 29(2), schedule 1
S. 9(2A), (2B) inserted 31/2001, ss. 13(1), 29(2), schedule 1
S. 9(3)(a) amended 31/2001, ss. 13, 29(2), schedule 1
S. 10(1)(b) amended 31/2001, ss. 13(1), 29(2), schedule 1
S. 10(1A) inserted 31/2001, ss. 13(1), 29(2), schedule 1
S. 10(2)(a), (2)(b) amended 31/2001, ss. 13(1), 29(2), schedule 1
S. 10(2)(c) substituted 31/2001, ss. 13(1), 29(2), schedule 1
S. 11(1)(a) amended 31/2001, ss. 13(1), 29(2), schedule 1
S. 12(1)(a), (1)(b) amended 31/2001, ss. 13, 29(2), schedule 1
S. 12(1A), (1B) inserted 31/2001, ss. 13(1), 29(2), schedule 1
S. 13(1) amended 31/2001, ss. 13(1), 29(2), schedule 1
S. 13(1)(b) substituted 31/2001, ss. 13(1), 29(2), schedule 1
S. 13(4) amended 31/2001, ss. 13(1), 29(2), schedule 1
S. 13(5) amended 24/2010, ss. 1(2), 97, schedule, pt. 1, item 12
S. 14(3)(b) amended 31/2001, ss. 13(1), 29(2), schedule 1
S. 14(3)(b) references construed S.I. No. 57 of 1996, reg. 5(a)
S. 15(1) amended 16/2001, ss. 1(3), 1(4), schedules 3, 4
S. 15(2)(b) amended 24/2010, ss. 1(2), 97, schedule, pt. 1, item 13
S. 15(2)(ii) amended 24/2010, ss. 1(2), 97, schedule, pt. 1, item 14
S. 15(4)(a)(ii) amended 24/2010, ss. 1(2), 97, schedule, pt. 1, item 15
S. 16(1)(a) amended 24/2010, ss. 1(2), 97, schedule, pt. 1, item 16
S. 16(2)(a) substituted 31/2001, ss. 13(1), 29(2), schedule 1
S. 17 removal for failure under 18/2009, ss. 10(8), 84(8)(c)
S. 17(1)(a) amended 24/2010, ss. 1(2), 97, schedule, pt. 1, item 17
S. 18(1)(a) amended 24/2010, ss. 1(2), 97, schedule, pt. 1, item 18
S. 18(3)(b)(iii) references construed 7/2018, ss. 9, 14(2), 14(4)
S. 18(3)(b)(v) offices prescribed under S. I. No. 698 of 2004, regs. 2, 6
  S. I. No. 699 of 2004, regs. 2, 7
S. 19 non-application of 33/2004, ss. 3, 7(1), 7(4)
S. 19(1)(a) amended 33/2004, ss. 3, 4, 61(1), 63, schedule 2, pt. 1
S. 19(3)(a) amount of maximum salary prescribed S. I. No. 57 of 1996, art. 4
  S. I. No. 698 of 2004, regs. 2, 5
S. 19(3)(a)(i) amended 24/2010, ss. 1(2), 97, schedule, pt. 1, item 19
S. 19(4) applied with modifications S.I. No. 320 of 1997, reg. 3
S. 19(5) deleted 33/2004, ss. 3, 4, 61(1), 63, schedule 2, pt. 1
S. 19(7) inserted 31/2001, ss. 13(1), 29(2), schedule 1
S. 20(1) references construed S.I. No. 320 of 1997, reg. 4(a)
  S.I. No. 57 of 1996, reg. 5(b)
S. 20(1), 20(1A) inserted 31/2001, ss. 13, 29(2), schedule 1
S. 20(3) substituted 31/2001, ss. 13, 29(2), schedule 1
S. 20(3A) inserted 31/2001, ss. 13, 29(2), schedule 1
S. 20(3B) inserted 31/2001, ss. 13, 29(2), schedule 1
S. 20(3) references construed S.I. No. 320 of 1997, regs. 4(b), 4(c)
Part 5 (ss. 21-27) cntc. in effect with necessary modifications 31/2001, ss. 14(1), 14(2), 29(2)
S. 21(1) substituted 31/2001, ss. 2, 29(2)
S. 21(2) substituted 31/2001, ss. 2, 29(2)
S. 21(2A)-(2I) inserted 31/2001, ss. 2, 29(2)
S. 21(2)(a) amended 18/2014, ss. 1(2), 52(a)
S. 21(2E)(a) amended 18/2014, ss. 1(2), 52(b)
S. 21(2F) substituted 18/2014, ss. 1(2), 52(c)
S. 21(2I) amended 5/2015, ss. 1(2), 27(a)
S. 21(3), (4) amended 31/2001, ss. 13(1), 29(2), schedule 1
S. 21(3)(a)(iii) repealed 31/2001, ss. 28, 29(2), schedule 2
S. 21(4)(c) repealed in part 31/2001, ss. 28, 29(2), schedule 2
S. 21(6) repealed 31/2001, ss. 28, 29(2), schedule 2
S. 22 amended with saving 31/2001, ss. 13(1), 13(2), 29(2), schedule 1
S. 22 transitional provision 31/2001, ss. 14(1), 14(2)(a), 29(2)
S. 22(1)(b) amended 31/2001, ss. 13(1), 13(2), 29(2), schedule 1
S. 22(2) repealed with saving 31/2001, ss. 28(1), 28(2), 29(2), schedule 2
S. 22(4)(c), (4)(d) applied with necessary modifications 31/2001, ss. 11(b), 29(2)
S. 22(5) inserted 31/2001, ss. 13(1), 13(2), 29(2), schedule 1
S. 23(1) substituted 31/2001, ss. 7, 29(2)
S. 23(1A)-(1C) inserted 31/2001, ss. 7, 29(2)
S. 23(1) transitional provision 31/2001, ss. 14(1), 14(2)(b), 29(2)
S. 23(3) amended 31/2001, ss. 13(1), 29(2), schedule 1
S. 24 transitional provision 31/2001, ss. 14(1), 14(2)(c), 29(2)
S. 24(1)(b) substituted 31/2001, ss. 13(1), 29(2), schedule 1
S. 24(1)(c)(i) amended 31/2001, ss. 13(1), 29(2), schedule 1
S. 24(2) amended 31/2001, ss. 13(1), 29(2), schedule 1
S. 24(2) references construed S.I. No. 57 of 1996, reg. 5(c)
S. 24(3)(a) substituted 31/2001, ss. 13(1), 29(2), schedule 1
S. 24(3)(b) amended 31/2001, ss. 13(1), 29(2), schedule 1
S. 24(3)(c) amended 31/2001, ss. 13(1), 29(2), schedule 1
S. 24(3)(c)(i), (ii), (iii) substituted 31/2001, ss. 13(1), 29(2), schedule 1
S. 24(5A) inserted 31/2001, ss. 13(1), 29(2), schedule 1
S. 25, ctnc. of guidelines under. 31/2001, ss. 14(3), 29(2)
S. 25(1)(a), (1)(b) amended 31/2001, ss. 13(1), 29(2), schedule 1
S. 25(1)(b) transitional provision 31/2001, ss. 14(1), 14(2)(d), 29(2)
S. 25(1A), (1B) inserted 31/2001, ss. 13(1), 29(2), schedule 1
S. 25(2) amended 31/2001, ss. 13(1), 29(2), schedule 1
S. 26(1)(a) amended 31/2001, ss. 13(1), 29(2), schedule 1
S. 27(1) transitional provision 31/2001, ss. 14(1), 14(2)(e), 29(2)
Part VI applied (ss. 28-38) 34/2009, ss. 1(2), 31(3)
S. 28(1) amended 31/2001, ss. 13(1), 29(2), schedule 1
S. 28(2)(c)(ii) substituted 31/2001, ss. 13(1), 29(2), schedule 1
S. 28(2A) inserted 31/2001, ss. 13(1), 29(2), schedule 1
S. 28(3) amended 31/2001, ss. 10(16), 29(2)
S. 29(1)(e) substituted 31/2001, ss. 13(1), 29(2), schedule 1
S. 29(2)(a) amended 24/2010, ss. 1(2), 97, schedule, pt. 1, item 20
S. 29(2)(c)(i) amended 24/2010, ss. 1(2), 97, schedule, pt. 1, item 20
S. 30 amended 24/2010, ss. 1(2), 97, schedule, pt. 1, item 21
S. 31(2) amended 31/2001, ss. 13(1), 29(2), schedule 1
S. 32(4A), (4B) inserted 31/2001, ss. 13(1), 29(2), schedule 1
S. 32(4A) sanction prescribed 31/2001, ss. 17, 29(2)
S. 32(5) reference to perjury construed 13/2021, s. 4(2), schedule 2 item 39
S. 32(6)(b) amended 31/2001, ss. 13(1), 29(2), schedule 1
S. 32(8), applic. rstrct. 31/2001, ss. 16(1), 29(2)
S. 32(8) substituted 31/2001, ss. 13(1), 29(2), schedule 1
S. 32(11) applied 25/1997, ss. 1(6), 4(9)
S. 32(11)(c) amended 31/2001, ss. 13(1), 29(2), schedule 1
S. 32(11A), (11B) inserted 31/2001, ss. 13(1), 29(2), schedule 1
S. 33 amended 5/2015, ss. 1(2), 27(b)
S. 35(1) amended 5/2015, ss. 1(2), 27(c)
S. 35(2) saver 41/2011, ss. 1(2), 17(4)
  40/2011, ss. 1(2), 15(3)
S. 35(2)(b)(i) construction of references amended S. I. No. 32 of 1997, reg. 6
S. 35(2)(b)(i) amended 31/2001, ss. 13(1), 29(2), schedule 1
S. 35(2)(c) amended 5/2015, ss. 1(2), 27(d)(i)
S. 35(2)(d) amended 5/2015, ss. 1(2), 27(d)(ii)
S. 35(2)(e) inserted 5/2015, ss. 1(2), 27(d)(iii)
S. 36 amended 31/2001, ss. 13(1), 29(2), schedule 1
S. 37 applied 31/2001, ss. 17, 19(2), 29(2)
S. 38 repealed 9/2018, ss. 1(2), 4, schedule 2
S. 38 applied 34/2009, ss. 1(2), 16(1)
Sch. 1, para. 1(7) amended 44/2009, ss. 14(1), 15(3), Schedule, part 1
Sch. 1, para. 1(13) bodies prescibed for the purposes of S.I. No. 699 of 2004, regs. 2, 8
Sch. 1, para. 1(13) public body prescribed S.I. No. 32 of 1997, reg. 3
Sch. 2 amended 16/2001, ss. 1(3), 1(4), schedules 3, 4
Sch. 2, para. 1(4) amended 24/2010, ss. 1(2), 97, schedule, pt. 1, item 22
Sch. 2, para. 1(5) amended 24/2010, ss. 1(2), 97, schedule, pt. 1, item 22
Sch. 2, para. 1(6)(b) amended 24/2010, ss. 1(2), 97, schedule, pt. 1, item 22

SIs made under the Act

SectionSIs made under the Act
S. 3 Ethics in Public Office (Designated Positions in Public Bodies) (Amendment) Regulations 2018 (S.I. No. 483 of 2018)
  Ethics in Public Office (Designated Positions in Public Bodies) (Amendment) Regulations 2015 (S.I. No. 35 of 2015)
  Ethics in Public Office (Designated Positions in Public Bodies) (Amendment) Regulations 2013 (S.I. No. 265 of 2013)
  Ethics in Public Office (Designated Positions in Public Bodies) (Amendment) Regulations 2012 (S.I. No. 575 of 2012)
  Ethics in Public Office (Designated Positions in Public Bodies) (Amendment) Regulations 2011 (S.I. No. 644 of 2011)
  Ethics in Public Office (Prescribed Public Bodies, Designated Directorships of Public Bodies and Designated Positions in Public Bodies) (Amendment) Regulations 2011 (S.I. No. 707 of 2011)
  Ethics in Public Office (Designated Positions in Public Bodies) (Amendment) Regulations 2010 (S.I. No. 5 of 2010)
  Ethics in Public Office (Prescribed Public Bodies, Designated Directorships of Public Bodies and Designated Positions in Public Bodies) (Amendment) (No.2) Regulations 2010 (S.I. No. 126 of 2010)
  Ethics in Public Office (Designated Positions in Public Bodies) (Amendment) (No. 2) Regulations 2010 (S.I. No. 596 of 2010)
  Ethics in Public Office (Prescribed Public Bodies, Designated Directorships of Public Bodies and Designated Positions in Public Bodies) (Amendment) Regulations 2009 (S.I. No. 320 of 2009)
  Ethics in Public Office (Designated Positions in Public Bodies) (Amendment) Regulations 2009 (S.I. No. 321 of 2009)
  Ethics in Public Office (Prescribed Public Body, Designated Directorships and Positions in Public Bodies) (Amendment) Regulations, 1997 (S.I. No. 310 of 1997)
  Ethics in Public Office (Designated Positions in Public Bodies) Regulations, 1996 (S.I. No. 57 of 1996)
S. 3(1)(b) Ethics in Public Office Act, 1995 (Section 3(1)(B)) Regulations, 1997 (S.I. No. 320 of 1997)
Ss. 3, 18 Ethics in Public Office (Designated Positions in Public Bodies) (Amendment) Regulations 2008 (S.I. No. 145 of 2008)
  Ethics in Public Office (Designated Positions in Public Bodies) (Amendment) (No. 2) Regulations 2008 (S.I. No. 606 of 2008)
  Ethics in Public Office (Designated Positions in Public Bodies) (Amendment) Regulations 2006 (S.I. No. 677 of 2006)
  Ethics in Public Office (Designated Positions in Public Bodies) (Amendment) Regulations 2005 (S.I. No. 673 of 2005)
S. 3(3) Ethics in Public Office (Prescribed Public Bodies, Designated Directorships of Public Bodies and Designated Positions in Public Bodies) (Amendment) Regulations 2012 (S.I. No. 256 of 2012)
  Ethics in Public Office (Prescribed Public Bodies, Designated Directorships of Public Bodies and Designated Positions in Public Bodies) (Amendment) (No. 2) Regulations 2012 (S.I. No. 582 of 2012)
S. 3, schedule 1, para. 1(13) Ethics in Public Office (Prescribed Public Bodies, Designated Directorships of Public Bodies and Designated Positions in Public Bodies) (Amendment) Regulations 2018 (S.I. No. 484 of 2018)
  Ethics in Public Office (Prescribed Public Bodies, Designated Directorships of Public Bodies and Designated Positions in Public Bodies) (Amendment) Regulations 2015 (S.I. No. 36 of 2015)
  Ethics in Public Office (Prescribed Public Bodies, Designated Directorships of Public Bodies and Designated Positions in Public Bodies) (Amendment) Regulations 2013 (S.I. No. 271 of 2013)
  Ethics in Public Office (Prescribed Public Bodies, Designated Directorships of Public Bodies and Designated Positions in Public Bodies) (Amendment) Regulations 2010 (S.I. No. 15 of 2010)
  Ethics in Public Office (Prescribed Public Bodies, Designated Directorships of Public Bodies and Designated Positions in Public Bodies) (Amendment) (No. 3) Regulations 2010 (S.I. No. 645 of 2010)
  Ethics in Public Office (Prescribed Public Bodies, Designated Directorships of and Positions in Public Bodies) (Amendment) Regulations 2008 (S.I. No. 146 of 2008)
  Ethics in Public Office (Prescribed Public Bodies, Designated Directorships of Public Bodies and Designated Positions in Public Bodies) (Amendment) Regulations 2008 (S.I. No. 607 of 2008)
  Ethics in Public Office (Prescribed Public Bodies, Designated Directorships of and Positions in Public Bodies) (Amendment) Regulations 2006 (S.I. No. 678 of 2006)
  Ethics in Public Office (Prescribed Public Bodies, Designated Directorships of and Positions in Public Bodies) Regulations 2005 (S.I. No. 672 of 2005)
  Ethics in Public Office (Designated Positions in Public Bodies) Regulations 2004 (S.I. No. 698 of 2004)
  Ethics in Public Office (Prescribed Public Bodies, Designated Directorships of Public Bodies and Designated Positions in Public Bodies) Regulations 2004 (S.I. No. 699 of 2004)
  Ethics in Public Office (Prescribed Public Body, Designated Directorships and Designated Positions in Public Bodies) Regulations, 1997 (S.I. No. 32 of 1997)