3165. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Health the persons appointed to membership of the Clinical Trials Advisory Council; the stream and category of membership under which each was appointed; the institutions or organisations with which they are affiliated and the geographic distribution of those institutions; the date on which the Council was formally established; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [60176/26]

3177. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Health whether all appointments to the Clinical Trials Advisory Council have been completed; if not, the number of positions that remain to be filled and the streams or categories of membership to which they relate; the number of expressions of interest received in response to the call which closed on 20 April 2026; the timeline for completing the membership, for the first meeting of the Council and for the agreement of its terms of reference; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [60177/26]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 3165 and 3177 together.

The establishment of the Clinical Trials Advisory Council (CTAC) forms part of the Government's commitment to strengthening Ireland's clinical trials ecosystem, improving patient access to innovative treatments and therapies, and supporting Ireland's position as a leading location for clinical research and life sciences investment.

The Department issued a press release on Monday 31st August welcoming the establishment of the Clinical Trials Advisory Council (CTAC) and noting that the new Council held its inaugural meeting on Thursday 27th August 2026. The press release provided a link to the membership of CTAC, which is available here: www.gov.ie/en/department-of-health/press-releases/clinical-trials-advisory-council-ctac-holds-its-first-meeting/, and which provides details on the affiliations and institutions concerned.

The CTAC brings together a diverse range of expertise and perspectives from across Ireland's clinical research ecosystem, including patient representatives, healthcare providers, academia, industry, as well as Government Departments and agencies. The broad composition of the Council reflects the collaborative approach required to strengthen Ireland's clinical trials environment and deliver on the vision set out in the National Clinical Trials Oversight Group’s (NCTOG's) final report.

A total of 68 eligible applications were received under the Expressions of Interest process which closed on 20 April 2026. A draft of the Terms of Reference (TOR) for the CTAC, was published on the Department’s website alongside the Call for Expressions of Interest. Once finalised the TOR will be made publicly available from the dedicated CTAC webpage that is now live and can be accessed here: www.gov.ie/en/department-of-health/publications/clinical-trials-advisory-council-ctac/. In this regard it should be noted that in line with the draft TOR, it would be at the discretion of the Minister, to appoint additional members to the Council.