The minister of State with responsibility for mental health Tim O'Malley has asked the Standards in Public Office Commission to advise him whether there is any conflict of interest in him holding shares in two pharmaceutical wholesale companies.
The Minister has shares in United Drug and Uniphar and he himself believes there is no conflict of interest in him holding these shares.
However, following correspondence from a woman concerned that there might be a conflict of interest, given how widely drugs are prescribed to treat mental health problems, he said he referred the matter to the Standards in Public Office Commission and expects it will convey its decision to him within weeks.
Mr O'Malley told The Irish Times yesterday he had advised the commission he would sell the shares if it finds there is a conflict of interest in him holding them.
The Limerick East TD also said he had declared to the commission when elected to the Dáil in 2002 that he was a shareholder in these companies.
Mr O'Malley said that as a pharmacist he dealt with both of the companies and had shares in them for years before he was elected to the Dáil.
They are both Irish companies and are only wholesale distributors. They are not engaged in manufacturing or research, he said. He added that he had sold his pharmacy to his daughter a number of years ago.
"I see no conflict of interest. On the contrary I have been very outspoken on the need for greater use of generic drugs," he said.