17.— (1) Where a member of the staff of An tSeirbhís has a material interest, otherwise than in his or her capacity as such a member, in any contract, agreement or arrangement, or proposed contract, agreement or arrangement, to which An tSeirbhís is a party, that person shall—

(a) disclose to An tSeirbhís his or her interest and the nature thereof,

(b) take no part in the negotiation of the contract, agreement or arrangement or in any deliberation by An tSeirbhís or members of the staff of An tSeirbhís in relation thereto, and

(c) neither influence nor seek to influence a decision to be made in the matter nor make any recommendation in relation to the contract, agreement or arrangement.

(2) Subsection (1) shall not apply to contracts or proposed contracts of employment of members of the staff of An tSeirbhís with An tSeirbhís.

(3) Where a person contravenes this section, An tSeirbhís may make such alterations to the person’s terms and conditions of employment as it considers appropriate or terminate the person’s employment.