The Government is to support a bill that will require medical practitioners to declare any income or gift received from medical suppliers or pharmaceutical companies to the Medical Council.
Presenting his Bill during a private member's debate in the Dáil, Fianna Fáil health spokesperson Billy Kelleher said he believed it was appropriate that a statutory declaration of gifts over €600 be put in place.
He said while there are guidelines in place, and that pharmaceutical companies have a code of conduct, these are voluntary.
Mr Kelleher said a proper register should apply, as it does to members of the Oireachtas.
He said there was concern, in particular where large amounts of taxpayers' money is being spent with companies.
Mr Kelleher also said it was reported that drug companies were paying the salaries of some medical staff in children's hospitals.
He said while a philanthropic approach was welcome, there needed to be transparency.
Responding on behalf of the Government, Minister of State Catherine Byrne said the government agreed with the sentiment of the bill and it would work with Mr Kelleher to achieve transparency.
She said it also had to ensure that an unnecessary burden was not placed on the Medical Council.
Ms Byrne added that it had to explore if data protection restrictions could be overcome.
Sinn Féin health spokesperson Louise O'Reilly said any measure that improved transparency should be considered as progressive.
Health Minister Simon Harris said the Government would work with Mr Kelleher to achieve transparency.
He said the bill needed to be clearer in its definitions, in terms of what is included, along with the logistics and costs.
The minister said that other countries have achieved this and legislation in other jurisdictions should be examined.
