“It is clear to me that I failed to inform Meath County Council about ownership of my house in Castlemartin.”
Fine Gael TD Damien English has resigned as Minister of State for Employment Affairs, Business and Retail.
The announcement came following a report in The Ditch on Wednesday (11 January) which claimed that in 2008, the Meath West TD did not declare his ownership of an existing home in his planning application for a new home.
In a statement on Thursday, English confirmed that he was stepping down from his position and that he informed Taoiseach Leo Varadkar of his decision.
“Yesterday in an online article, questions were raised about my planning application from 14 years ago,” the TD wrote.
“I reviewed this application, made in 2008, and it is clear to me that I failed to inform Meath County Council about ownership of my house in Castlemartin.
“This was wrong, not up to the standard required and I apologise for doing so.”
I have informed the Taoiseach last night of my decision to resign as Minister of State at the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment.
Yesterday in an online article, questions were raised about my planning application from 14 years ago. I reviewed this application,
— Damien English TD (@Damien_English) January 12, 2023
English also thanked the people of his constituency for their ongoing support as their TD and said he will “continue to serve them and work hard on their behalf”.
“I thank the Taoiseach and parliamentary colleagues for their support during my time as Minister of State,” he added.
“I will continue to support the Taoiseach and colleagues in Government as they continue to deliver on the programme for Government.
“I would like to recognise the support and sacrifice of Laura and my family at all times.”
The Taoiseach also issued a statement on Thursday following English’s resignation.
“Last night, Damien English TD offered me his resignation as Minister of State for Employment Affairs, Business and Retail,” it reads.
“He informed me that 14 years ago, when applying for planning permission, he made a declaration to Meath County Council that was not correct.
“It was his view given the circumstances that his position was not tenable. I agreed and accepted his resignation.”
Main image via Leah Farrell / RollingNews.ie
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