The Agriculture Minister was sacked by the Taoiseach.
Statement by Barry Cowen:
The Taoiseach informed me this evening by phone that he was removing me from office as Minister for Agriculture. I am both surprised and disappointed with this decision.
Previously I furnished the Taoiseach with all the facts about my drink driving conviction and the story that the Sunday Times proposed to publish about my alleged evasion of a Garda check point.
In doing so I provided him with confidential details about my interaction with An Garda Siochana.
I have made my position on these matters known publicly and I have acknowledged my wrong doing for something that occurred 4 years ago.
I have sought an explanation - not as a government minister but as a citizen - as to how details relating to the incident were leaked to the media.
The authorities have agreed to investigate the matter. One point warrants emphasis: at no time did I attempt to evade the Gardaí.
Had I done so, the charges brought against me would, quite correctly, have been of a different tenor to those with which I was charged.
I am responsible for the offence with which I was convicted 4 years ago not for an inaccurate Garda entry on Pulse about that event.
Ten days ago and this afternoon the Taoiseach believed my failure of 2016 didn’t warrant my removal from office but he now appears to have changed his mind based on a Pulse report I gave him this morning.
It is important to re-emphasise that report was leaked in contravention of the protections that I and every other citizen is entitled to expect in respect of their interaction with the Gardaí.
Unfortunately the decision of the Taoiseach to remove me from office, when he supported me this afternoon in the Dail, has undermined and potentially prejudiced my entitlement to fair process.
Offaly Gardaí Renew Appeal For Witnesses To Collision
Bord Bia Has “Torn the Heart Out of Irish Farming” - Laois TD
Laois County Council Approves 80-Metre Weather Mast
Gardaí Return To Westmeath Island Where Human Remains Were Discovered
Offaly TD Joins Chorus Calling For Resignation Of Bord Bia Chair
Heavy Rain Continues To Fall Nationwide
Fresh Start For Laois Domestic Violence Refuge As New Partner Sought
St Brigid’s Cross Workshop Takes Place In Westmeath
Rose of Tralee To Headline I Wish Festival
Portiuncula Hospital Opens New Maternity Outpatient Facility
Emergency Services Attend Scene Of Multi Vehicle Crash In Westmeath
Gardaí Search For Missing Midlands Man
Award Winning Midlands 103 Presenter Co Directs Short Film In Laois
IFA President Backs Protests As Dawn Farm Controversy Escalates
Supreme Court Upholds High Court Ruling On Laois Windfarm
Flood Risk Grows Across Midlands Under Yellow And Orange Alerts
Laois TD Concerned For Resident's Welfare In Nursing Home License Fallout
Offaly Boxer Set For Honorary Grand Marshal Role
Midlands Jobs At Risk Following Eurogiant Liquidation Announcement
RSA Warns Laois Motorists Over Heavy Rain Warning