If there’s any doubt, step down

THERE is a whiff of the Ciarán Cuffe affair about the controversy bubbling around two junior ministers, Tim O’Malley of the PDs and Fianna Fáil TD Sean Power.

If there’s any doubt, step down

Both Ministers of State at the Department of Health, they have been accused of breaching conflict of interest rules by owning shares in two large pharmaceutical companies about to enter price negotiations with the department.

In the Cuffe furore, the Green Party TD was criticised for holding shares in two oil companies, which he sold off, and in a German condom company, which he defended. According to Mr O’Malley, the Standards Commission found he was under no obligation to dispose of shares in a wholesale company, which he had declared on entering the Dáil, as they did not represent a conflict of interest.

Already a subscriber? Sign in

You have reached your article limit.

Unlimited access. Half the price.

Annual €130 €65

Best value

Monthly €12€6 / month

More in this section

Revoiced

Newsletter

Sign up to the best reads of the week from irishexaminer.com selected just for you.

Cookie Policy Privacy Policy Brand Safety FAQ Help Contact Us Terms and Conditions

© Examiner Echo Group Limited