K Club invitations warning to Ministers

Ministers have been told not to accept corporate invitations to attend next week's Ryder Cup at the K Club in Co Kildare.

It is understood that there were concerns within Government that the value of corporate hospitality for the prestigious event could exceed the level allowed officially.

A Government spokesman last night told The Irish Times that "the matter had arose informally and that Ministers were reminded of their responsibilities under the code of conduct for public office holders".

The spokesman was unable to say who had given the advice to Ministers regarding the Ryder Cup. The Government spokesman said that a number of Ministers, including the Taoiseach, would be attending the Ryder Cup in their official capacities.

The Minister for Sport John O'Donoghue and the Minister for Agriculture Mary Coughlan will also be attending official functions during the event.

The advice given to Ministers relates only to invitations from the corporate sector to attend the Ryder Cup as guests and not in an official capacity.

Under government ethics guidelines Ministers must refuse gifts or services worth more than €650 if these are offered by virtue of their official position.

One-day tickets for the Ryder Cup are being offered on the internet for over €788.

However, competition organisers have said that Ryder Cup tickets are not be transferable and that there will be security procedures in place to ensure the identity of ticket-holders are checked.

A number of Ministers had received invitations from corporate sector interests to attend the Ryder Cup as guests.

Earlier this month there was controversy when it emerged that a number of councillors had been offered free tickets to the event.

South Dublin County Council said that it would carry out an investigation into an offer of Ryder Cup tickets to some local councillors from a property developer.

At least six of the 26 councillors in South Dublin County Council were offered the tickets by a representative of Menolly Homes, the company that built Ladycastle, an upmarket development in the grounds of the K Club where the Ryder Cup is being held.

Those offered tickets were from Fianna Fáil, Fine Gael, Sinn Féin and Labour, and one councillor, Cllr Máire Ardagh (FF), said publicly that she would accept them.

Cllr Ardagh later said that she would not accept the invitation to attend the K Club.

Up to 45,000 visitors per day are expected to attend the Ryder Cup at the K Club.

It is expected that there will be up to 600 helicopter flights to the course each day.