2716. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his Department and bodies under his aegis maintain a register of gifts hospitality or other benefits received by public servants; the number of entries recorded on each such register since January 2025; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [61575/26]

Under Section 15 of the Ethics in Public Office Act (1995) gifts presented to office holders valued in excess of €650 are deemed to be gifts to the State and must be recorded accordingly following valuation through the Office of Public Works.

I can confirm that officials in my Department have not given or received any gifts worth over €650 for the period specified.

I can also confirm that my Department complies with the regulations regarding receipt of gifts by civil servants, as set out in Section 16 of the Civil Service Code of Standards and Behaviour 2004.

As regards the 13 State Bodies under the aegis of my Department, the information requested is an operational matter for the State Bodies themselves. I have referred the Deputy’s question to the Agencies and have requested that a response should issue within 10 days.