Ethics in Public Office

Thursday, 11 December 2025

Questions (69, 71)

Ged Nash

Question:

69. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation his plans to reform ethics legislation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [70848/25]

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Cian O'Callaghan

Question:

71. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation the position regarding the reform of the ethics in public office legislation, given that the review of the statutory framework was completed in December 2022; the reason for the delay in publishing the heads of a Bill; if he expects this Bill to be introduced this year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [70769/25]

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Written answers

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

I propose to take Questions Nos. 69 and 71 together.

I wish to assure the Deputy that reform of the statutory framework for ethics in public life is a priority for this Government, and we have committed in our Programme for Government 2025, 'Securing Ireland’s Future', to update the legislation that underpins it. However, this policy area remains a complex one, and careful consideration is required before I can bring forward detailed proposals for legislative reform.

As the Deputy mentions in his question, my Department has already prepared the ground with a comprehensive review of the ethics legislative framework. This was undertaken during the life of the last Government and the Report and findings were published in February 2023. The Report's recommendations include that the legislative framework for ethics should be underpinned by a set of integrity principles; that disclosure requirements should be strengthened to improve transparency; and that consideration should be given to whether the regime should encompass more office holders. The Report also recommends a strengthening of the Standards in Public Office Commission (SIPO). Certain, more recent, recommendations in relation to ethics will also need to be considered in the context of the reform agenda.

A variety of operational and policy considerations flow from this. I am conscious that this represents an opportunity to make real and meaningful, long-term change to our current regime and I wish to ensure that this happens in a way that is both coherent from a policy perspective and user-friendly from an operational perspective.

Given their significance, I will examine the outstanding policy issues with care and engage with my officials to determine the most appropriate way to deliver on our Programme for Government commitment in this area.