Junior Minister Damien English has resigned.
In a statement, he says he informed the Taoiseach last night of his decision to step down as Minister of State at the Department of Enterprise Trade and Employment.
It follows reports that he failed to declare details of a 2008 planning application relating to a property in Co. Meath.
The Fine Gael TD says that having reviewed the application it is 'clear' to him that he failed to inform Meath County Council about his ownership of the property, adding it was 'wrong' and 'not up the standard required'.
To get permission for one-off rural housing in Co Meath you have to be a local, show you don't have a home and thus have a housing need.
In 2008 Damien English submitted a planning application for his family home but didn't tell the council he already owned a property.
After this came to light yesterday English says he reviewed the application, that it was 'wrong' and that 'isn't something which is acceptable'.
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
“Yesterday in an online article, questions were raised about my planning application from 14 years ago. 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 would like to thank the people of Meath West for their ongoing support as their TD. I will continue to serve them and work hard on their behalf in the constituency."
