“I thought I had got it right but I didn’t. I acknowledge that.”
Minister of State has said he is “embarrassed” that he got it “so wrong” while speaking out about the recent controversy he has become embroiled in.
Last Thursday, the Fianna Fáil politician issued an apology for “omissions and errors” he made when declaring property he owned to a register of politicians’ interests.
In a new interview on Tuesday (23 August) with RTÉ News at One, Troy was quizzed on the matter, during which he reiterated his apologies.
“Can I start off by apologising? Apologising to my constituents, to my colleagues in Government, my colleagues across the Dáil, to SIPO [the Standards in Public Office Commission] and to the public at large,” he told the show.
“I do hold my hand up. I did make a very serious mistake and to be frank, I’m embarrassed that I got it so wrong and that I needed such a comprehensive amendment to the statement of members’ interests.”
Troy said that the “root of the issue” was that he “misinterpreted the requirements”.
“I was wrongly under the impression that I only needed to declare the interest that I held on the 31 December of a particular year, not on an annualised basis.
“That’s why some properties were not fully accounted for.”
The Minister of State also told the show about the properties that he currently either owns or partly owns.
“I have three properties that I own in my own name. One of those includes my constituency offices,” he explained.
“I’ve three other properties that I am in a partnership arrangement with.
“Within those holdings, one of the properties is sublet into three units and another property is sublet into four units.
“So, in total, I’ve 11 properties at the moment. Nine of which are rented out.”
Troy said that an allegation or charge that he somehow tried to conceal his interests from the public was “factually incorrect”.
“I did not try to conceal any of my property interests since I was elected to the Dáil.
“I got it very wrong. I made a mistake. I’ve held my hand up.
“As soon as it was identified to me, I took time out and I prepared a comprehensive amendment to SIPO which I’ve lodged with them since last Thursday.
“I thought I had got it right but I didn’t. I acknowledge that.
“I’ve now made the amendment and I’m prepared to deal with SIPO in that context.”
Troy also stated he takes full responsibility for his errors and that he has said to the Taoiseach and Tánaiste that he is “very happy” to address the Dáil and answer any questions on this issue.
“I’m an open book. I have absolutely nothing to hide. I never tried to conceal anything and I never tried to use my public position for private gain,” he added.
Main image via Sam Boal/RollingNews.ie
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