The Transport Minister said that Troy’s errors “undermine confidence in the political system”.
Robert Troy has issued a new statement as Transport Minister Eamon Ryan has called for two investigations relating to the recent controversy surrounding the Minister of State.
On Tuesday (23 August), Troy issued another apology for “omissions and errors” he made when declaring property he owned to a register of politicians’ interests.
Meanwhile, on Wednesday, he put out a statement responding to reports that one of his developments has no fire safety certificate registered.
The Minister of State said that an application for a fire safety certificate was not required for the development on Rathdown Road in Phibsborough under building regulations.
“We received advice from the architect-engineer that oversaw the development of Rathdown Road, that the building pre-dated the Local Government (Planning and Development) Act 1963 and pre-dated the Building Control Act 1990 and Building Control Regulation 1991,” the statement reads.
“The advice was as there was no ‘material change’ nor ‘material change of use’ as a result of the renovations carried out, an application for a fire safety certificate was not required under Building Regulations, however, all works were completed to the relevant fire safety regulations including the addition of a fire escape as part of these fire safety measures.
“I can also confirm Dublin City Council advised no planning was required for 25a Rathdown Road apart from the planning we obtained for the fire escape.
“Dublin City Council inspected this property in 2015 and in 2016 and issued a report in September 2016 which recommended no further action was required.”
The statement followed an appearance from Eamon Ryan on RTÉ News at One on Wednesday during which he was asked whether Troy had further questions to answer regarding his property interests.
“Firstly, it’s very disappointing. I listened to Robert on the programme yesterday… He admitted himself his errors, significant errors, in the declaration and registration of his property interests,” the Minister replied.
“That does undermine confidence in the political system.
“Under our ethics act, [the] 95 ethics act, there is very clear procedures in terms of how the Standards and Public Office [SIPO] can carry out a commission investigation. I think they should.”
Ryan added that he believes included in the investigation should be clarity for all members of the Oireachtas on what exactly the rules are around property, rental contracts and how they need to be declared.
“That is not clear at this present moment in time. That’s come out of this whole issue,” he also said.
On top of this, Ryan called for an investigation into Troy by an Oireachtas Committee.
“I happened to talk to the Ceann Comhairle this morning on this issue to get his view,” Ryan explained.
“I believe it would be possible for the likes of the Oireachtas Committee on Procedures, Privileges and Oversight to have a full investigation.
“Under the ethics guidelines, office holders are accountable to the Oireachtas.”
Ryan said he believes it would be appropriate if such an investigation was conducted before the return of the Dáil next month.
“I think any questions the opposition or indeed members of Government might have could be asked there and could be dealt with in the appropriate manner,” he added.
“So, I think that could be done quickly and needs to be done quickly.”
Responding to Ryan’s remarks, Troy stated: “I reiterate again my willingness to engage with SIPO, RTB or a Dáil Committee as suggested by Minister Ryan.”
Troy’s response followed on from his appearance on the same programme on Tuesday, during which he was quizzed on the controversy surrounding the declaration of his property interests and 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 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,” he explained.
“That’s why some properties were not fully accounted for.”
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 images via Julien Behal / Sasko Lazarov / RollingNews.ie
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