A significant proportion of Irish parliamentarians, approximately one in six, currently hold additional employment outside of their duties as elected officials. This figure doesn’t even include those who derive income from property ownership, such as being a landlord. The revelation comes as scrutiny intensifies regarding consultants employed by government departments who simultaneously hold positions in private firms. Questions are being raised about the ability of TDs to ethically criticize these consultants when many maintain their own second careers. The practice of TDs having outside employment has sparked debate about potential conflicts of interest and the allocation of their time and focus. This situation adds complexity to ongoing discussions surrounding transparency and accountability in Irish politics. The issue highlights a potential hypocrisy regarding criticism of outside work when practiced by others in the public sector.