Mark Ward (Dublin Mid West, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

Page 54 of the programme for Government refers to the integrated mental health services provided by non-government organisations. Pieta House was awarded millions in funding this year after it found itself in financial difficulties, with threats of redundancies hanging over staff. It has been brought to my attention by concerned members of the public that the Fine Gael Leader of the Seanad, Senator Regina Doherty, is now a board member of Pieta House. Senator Doherty, according to Pieta’s website, is also a former member of the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform. The website states that this will provide Pieta House with insights that will be valuable assets to the organisation. Does the Tánaiste believe that the Senator’s membership of a board that receives vast amounts of public funding is a conflict of interest? Is this a paid position? Was the Tánaiste aware of this?

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