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.
Laois TD Urges Support For Young Farmers Falling Short Of Slurry Standards
Laois Man Allegedly Used As ‘Money Mule’ Without His Knowledge
New Fantasy TV Series Filming In Offaly This Summer
90% Of Midlands Septic Tanks Fail 2025 Inspections - EPA
Major Westmeath Housing Development Delayed
Mary's Wheels Volunteers Doing Church Gate Collections In Midlands This Weekend
Two Westmeath Companies Win Biopharma and Chemical Sector Awards
Laois Councillor Demands Progress On Laois Bridge Works
Revenue Seize Contraband Worth Over €695k
Westmeath Woman Detained On Flotilla Ship Bound For Gaza
Sexual Abuse Survivors To Protest Counselling Notes Amendment Outside Dail Tomorrow
Offaly Man Praises EU Health Directive For Securing Surgery
Westmeath Housing Project Put On Hold Pending Further Details
Westmeath Businesses Celebrate National Industry Award Success
Delaney Cup To Tour Westmeath Venues Today
Westmeath Man Jailed For Assaulting Garda And Calling Officer A Nazi
Rain To Continue Across Midlands Before Sunny Weekend Boost
Calls Made For Clearer Referral System For Children With Complex Needs
One Person Arrested Over €8k Laois Drug Seizure