Internal rules

Internal rules of the deontology committee

as provided for by the Grand Ducal Decree of 14 March 2022 laying down the rules of conduct for Government members and the Grand-Ducal Decree of 14 March 2022 laying down the rules of conduct for Government advisers.

Article 1. The ethics committee currently comprises four members. Three staff members are assigned to its secretariat; they receive letters and documents addressed to the Committee, distribute copies to the members, and securely store the originals.

Article 2. Any committee member may take the initiative to convene a meeting when deemed appropriate. The agenda proposed by the member will be communicated to the other committee members by the secretariat.

Article 3. Committee meetings are not open to the public. A member of the secretariat may attend the meetings, which may be conducted either in person or via videoconference.

Article 4. Meeting dates and attendance are recorded in a special register maintained by the secretariat. The information in this register is retained for a period of five years.

Article 5. If the agenda includes an item on which a committee or secretariat member may have a conflict of interest, they must inform the other members prior to the start of discussions. The remaining committee members will then decide by majority vote whether the individual may remain present and participate in the vote on that item.

Article 6. The committee may only deliberate validly if the majority of its members are present.

Article 7. The committee may invite any person it considers useful and may call in experts. In such cases, the secretariat shall issue the necessary summons.

Article 8. Committee members are bound to confidentiality regarding their deliberations and voting. This obligation also applies to government employees assigned to the secretariat.

Article 9. The committee's statements are adopted by a simple majority of votes from the members present. Secretariat staff do not vote. In the event of a tie, the vote of the longest-serving member shall be decisive. Each member may express a dissenting opinion, with reasons if appropriate, following the majority opinion, without being identified by name. The opinion is then validly signed by a participating committee member.

Article 10. The publications provided for in the Grand Ducal Decree of 14 March 2022 laying down the ethical rules for Government members and in the Grand Ducal Decree of 14 March 2022 laying down the ethical rules for Government advisers are ensured by the secretariat.

Article 11. The documents and letters sent to the committee are kept at the secretariat for a period of 5 years after the date of finalisation of the committee's position.

Article 12. An annual report of the committee's activities shall be drawn up.

Made in Luxembourg, on 25 May 2022

The members of the deontology committee