We have committed in the Programme for Government to “update the Ethics in Public Office legislation”, which includes the Standards in Public Office Act 2001. This follows a wide-ranging review of the legislative framework that my Department undertook during the last Government, the Report and findings of which were published in February 2023.
I am now moving to consider in detail the outstanding policy issues to determine the most appropriate way to move forward on the Programme for Government commitment. I envisage that proposals to be brought forward in this area will provide for Codes of Conduct on a general basis, and that the particular matter to which the Deputy’s question refers will be considered as part of this process.
My ultimate goal in this is to create a fit-for-purpose and easy to understand ethical framework that contributes to the quality, efficacy, and transparency of our system and builds on the strengths of our existing framework.