Civil Service

Thursday, 4 December 2025

Questions (252, 257)

Ken O'Flynn

Question:

252. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation if any review has been undertaken by his Department since January 2020 on whether current ethics legislation is sufficient to address conflicts of interest arising from new or emerging medical technologies, including puberty blockers, cross-sex hormones, surgical pathways for minors and related digital health systems; and if he will list any recommendations identified. [68784/25]

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Ken O'Flynn

Question:

257. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation if his Department has identified any gaps or deficiencies in the current conflict-of-interest framework as applied to emerging medical or technological policy areas, and if he will outline any proposals under consideration to address those gaps. [68791/25]

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Written answers

Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation

I propose to take Questions Nos. 252 and 257 together.

During the last Government, my Department undertook a comprehensive review of the statutory framework for ethics in public life, the report of which was submitted to Government at the end of 2022 and published in February 2023. The Review process included, notably, a public consultation process and engagement with Committees of the Oireachtas. The issues referred to in the Deputy’s question were not raised by any party with which the review engaged or during the public consultation process. The particular matters referred to in the Deputy’s question are not covered in the Review report or in its recommendations.