Taoiseach defends Robert Troy over property dealings

Taoiseach Micheál Martin has again moved to play down issues surrounding the failure of Minister of State Robert Troy to fully declare all his properties to the Oireachtas Register of Members Interests

Speaking in Cork, Mr Martin reiterated that Mr Troy had both apologised for his error in failing to register all his properties and had clarified matters by issuing a comprehensive statement.

“People are entitled to fairness and to perspective on this issue, he has comprehensively addressed the issue in terms of the amendment to his declaration of interests and as far as I am concerned, he is a very effective Minister of State and doing a good job in that respect,” said Mr Martin.

According to the Irish Independent, Mr Troy used parliamentary questions on several occasions since being elected for Fianna Fál in Longford Westmeath in 2011 to seek details about the Rental Accommodation Scheme under which he has two properties leased to Westmeath County Council.

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Under the scheme, councils pay private landlords directly to accommodate tenants in receipt of rent support for more than 18 months and landlords can claim 100pc relief on their mortgage interest as an expense against rental income.

But speaking at the opening of a new Injury Unit at Bantry General Hospital in West Cork, Mr Martin said that he had spoken to Mr Troy about the matter last week and he was satisfied with the explanation he gave and the apology and statement he had made.

[ Robert Troy property controversy: A timeline ]

[ Troy controversy shows Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael now glued together ]

[ Minister of State Robert Troy discloses details of substantial property interests ]

“I would have spoken to him last week and said to him ‘Just issue a comprehensive statement, put it all out there in respect of that’ and he has done that, and he will clarify any other issues that people have to make (about it),” said Mr Martin.

Mr Martin rejected suggestions that he was unwilling to deal with Mr Troy in the way he had previously dealt with former ministers of agriculture Dara Calleary and Barry Cowen because the Government now needed Mr Troy’s support as it had lost its Dáil majority.

“I think that’s a disproportionate comment – he has clarified and amended his declaration – they (the resignation of Mr Calleary and the sacking of Mr Cowen) are two separate and different issues – he has been transparent in relation to this, and he has amended his declaration of interest.”

Asked if the Residential Tenancies Board (RTB) and Standards in Public Office Commission (Sipo) should investigate Mr Troy, he said it was open to both agencies to carry out whatever investigations they saw fit.

“They (the RTB) can investigate on their own initiative but that’s a matter for the RTB in respect of any individual or in respect of the adherence to any act but he has updated issues in relation to registration of properties.”

Mr Martin said it was similarly open to Sipo to assess any complaints it receives about any individual. The Taoiseach said even though Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform Michael McGrath was currently reviewing the legislation, he believed Ireland had a strong regime regarding standards in public office.

“Having said that, we can always strengthen legislation, but we have to get the balance right in terms of people participating in politics too,” he said. “Passing legislation needs experience in all fields of human endeavour and we need to be careful that we do facilitate broad experiences in public life.

“People involved in property should be able to go forward for election, it’s up to the people to decide ultimately who they elect - the idea of different backgrounds being represented in a national parliament is a valuable one but there is a need to be fully transparent as provided for.

“Quite a number of political representatives over the years haven’t always the declarations fully right but they have amended them, and they have corrected them and I think that in itself is a robust process.”