Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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227. To ask the Minister for Health the number of senior staff members of his Department or of State bodies under the aegis of his Department who are also on the boards of bodies registered for lobbying purposes under the Regulation of Lobbying Act 2015, or on the board of bodies which have had to disclose that they engaged in lobbying State authorities; if it is intended to issue directions as to the appropriateness of such involvement in these bodies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9072/23]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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As the Deputy will be aware, obligations of senior staff members in relation to State Boards are set out in the Code of Practice for the Governance of State Boards and relevant circulars. Directions in relation to the involvement of senior staff members on the boards of other bodies registered for lobbying purposes under the Regulation of Lobbying Act 2015 would similarly be set out in the relevant circulars and/or contracts covering terms and conditions of employment.

The Ethics in Public Office Act 1995 and the Standards in Public Office Act 2001 (the Ethics Acts) provide for annual disclosure of interests for designated positions of employment in the civil and public service at and above Principal Officer grade or equivalent and certain other positions whose work area could produce conflicts of interest and the disclosure of material interest in an official function.

As required under the Regulation of Lobbying Act 2015, my Department publishes a list of staff who are Designated Public Officials (DPO) on its website www.gov.ie/en/organisation-information/72a10a-regulation-of-lobbying-act-2015/

The Department does not have visibility of the membership of all boards but is satisfied that senior officials in the Department are aware of their obligations under the Regulation of Lobbying Act, Ethics in Public Office Act 1995 and the Civil Service Code of Standards and Behaviour.

Agencies under the remit of my department are aware of their obligations to comply with the Act.