Brian Stanley
Question:1329. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Health if his Department or the HSE has a policy on its staff and facilities receiving donations from pharmaceutical companies. [33165/20]
View answerTuesday, 3 November 2020
Questions (1329)
Written answers
The staff of my Department are governed by the Civil Service Code of Standards and Behaviour which requires them to conduct themselves with honest, impartiality and integrity. In particular Section 16 of that code deals extensively with the receipt of gifts and states, amongst other things, that 'Civil servants should not receive benefits of any kind from a third party which might reasonably be seen to compromise their personal judgement or integrity'.
Members of the Board of a State body holding a Designated Board membership and persons occupying a Designated Position of employment with a State body are required to comply with relevant provisions of the Ethics in Public Office Acts 1995 and 2001, including regarding the receiving of gifts. The Code of Practice for the Governance of State Bodies, adhered to by bodies under the aegis of the Department, requires that each body have in place a code of conduct for all employees that provides that the giving or receiving of corporate gifts, hospitality, preferential treatment or benefits which might affect or appear to affect the ability of the donor or the recipient to make independent judgment on business transactions should be avoided.