Silence greets statement by Sargent

GREEN PARTY TD Trevor Sargent has announced to the Dáil his resignation as minister of state for agriculture.

The minister’s resignation follows revelations of his intervention with gardaí on behalf of a constituent facing prosecution on a public order charge.

In a brief statement to the House, Mr Sargent acknowledged that while contacting gardaí in the circumstances was not a criminal offence, it could be seen as illegal. And less than five hours after a newspaper report of his representations to gardaí, he had resigned.

There was silence in the Dáil when the Dublin North TD rose to his feet and, surrounded by party colleagues, delivered his statement. It took less than two minutes. “Ceann Comhairle, I thank you for the opportunity to explain to the House the circumstances of the clinic inquiry I received in June 2008 relating to an alleged assault in September 2007, which were partially reported in the media this afternoon.

“A victim of an assault came to me to voice his frustration at the slow progress being made with the case where he alleged he had been head-butted when, he told me, he had reported vandalism to parents of a child he had seen trying to remove a road sign in their housing estate.

“My intention was to ensure the gardaí were aware I had received representations from a victim in an alleged assault and that the full preparation of the case would benefit from witnesses not yet interviewed, being interviewed before proceeding further. The victim was meanwhile afraid for his own personal safety, and showed the evidence of the assault on his face.

“I accept that although my actions in contacting An Garda Síochána were not a criminal offence, under section 6 of the Prosecutions of Offences Act 1974 such a communication could be deemed not lawful.

“In this regard I accept I made an error of judgment. Accordingly I hereby tender my resignation forthwith as Minister of State for Food and Horticulture.”

Once he completed his statement, Mr Sargent and most of his colleagues left the chamber.

Earlier, Labour leader Eamon Gilmore had asked “if there will be any opportunity given, if necessary, for questions to be asked of the Minister of State and indeed the Minister for Justice about the matters that were the subject of a newspaper report earlier today”.

Fine Gael leader Enda Kenny described the issue as having arisen “in a somewhat mysterious fashion”. He asked the Taoiseach whether “he has spoken to the Minister for Justice and the Minister of State in respect of the statement he is about to make, as it apparently is of a very serious nature”.

Ceann Comhairle Séamus Kirk told the House that “personal statements are personal statements, and any statements subsequent to that are ministerial statements”. He added that under standing orders there was no provision for questions after a personal statement by a member of the House.

Taoiseach Brian Cowen had earlier announced that the President “on my advice, accepted the resignation of Deputy Willie O’Dea as a member of the Government . . . I have assigned the Department of Defence to myself with the effect from 18th February, 2010.”

Mr Gilmore asked what arrangements, “if any are being made to bring a motion before the House for the appointment of a new member of the Government” which he said would require the approval of the Dáil.

Mr Cowen replied: “I don’t believe there is a time limit in which a motion has to be brought.”