Fahey tops list of TD property holdings

FIANNA FÁIL Minister of State Frank Fahey has once again produced one of the longest entries on Dáil Éireann's Register of Members…

FIANNA FÁIL Minister of State Frank Fahey has once again produced one of the longest entries on Dáil Éireann's Register of Members' Interests. In the list published yesterday he declared properties in Gort and Castlerea in Galway, Liscannor in Co Clare, Athlone, Limerick and in Dubai and Brussels.

While Taoiseach Bertie Ahern declared he had no shares, directorships and owns no land, he lists an official pass offering him free entry to the country's 10 greyhound tracks and an honorary membership of Clontarf Golf Club but that he did not "receive any material benefit from this as I do not play golf". Neither does he use the greyhound pass. A book on Manchester United received from Kraken Sports & Media, UK Ltd, Pilgrim Street, London, was given to Farmleigh "for observation by the public".

Minister of State for Health Jimmy Devins (Sligo-Leitrim North) has declared a share in a Strandhill, Co Sligo, nursing home.

Fine Gael's health spokesman, Dr James Reilly has a quarter share in the Green Hills nursing home, Carrick-on-Suir, Co Tipperary. Dr Reilly also owns a site in Cock Hill, Stamullen, Co Meath, a derelict ruin on a quarter acre in Balrothery, a commercial properties in Lusk, and an 86-acre farm in Baldrummond.

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Minister for Foreign Affairs Dermot Ahern has declared a share in three properties in the Demesne and Townspark in Dundalk, and Castlebellingham, which are all let, and free membership of Dundalk and Greenore golf clubs.

Fianna Fáil Dublin South Central TD Sean Ardagh, an accountant by background, has declared shares in Bank of Ireland, Irish Life & Permanent, CRH, Google Inc, Tullow Oil, South County Golf Club, CB Film Productions Ltd: films; AB Productions Ltd: films; Managed Fund: Mliif Japan Opportunities €50K; Oppenhein Growth Fund €50K; Mliif Emerging Europe Fund €50K; Robeco MM Asia-Pacific Eqs €50K, and a number of properties that are rented.

Fine Gael Dún Laoghaire TD Seán Barrett has declared considerable share interests, including the ownership of a number of nursing homes and care centres in Jersey, and the ownership of a bloodstock insurance business that he built before becoming a TD.

Fianna Fáil Kildare North TD Áine Brady declared a number of let properties in Kingbury, Maynooth, Churchfield in Clane, Salthill in Galway and a business rental in Maynooth.

Fine Gael's deputy leader Richard Bruton owns 50 acres of farmland in Woodtown, Drumree, Co Meath, and 175 acres in Newtown, Dunboyne, and shares in AIB, Bank of Ireland, Anglo Irish Bank and a number of other leading Irish institutions

Fine Gael Cork South Central TD Deirdre Clune owns properties in Ballsbridge Wood, Shelbourne Road, Dublin; The Orchards, Maryboro Hill, Douglas, Cork, and shares in two investment holding companies, Skeaboost and Maiden Acquisition, Banor Road, Dublin.

Fianna Fáil Wexford TD Seán Connick owns a warehouse in Waterford Road Business Park in New Ross, Co Wexford, and an apartment in The Moorings, Rosbercon, New Ross, along with shares in Apple computers, Canada Life and a Bank of Ireland property fund.

Fine Gael TD Simon Coveney owns two properties in Hartys Quay, Rochestown, Cork, and in Brussels, and shares in Retail Properties Ltd, Private Wealth Managers, and a family investment club managed by Davy Stockbrokers.

Green TD Ciarán Cuffe has sold shares in mining companies that previously landed him in controversy and now holds shares in funds managed by Dolmen Securities, the Green Effects Fund; and Friends First.

Newly-elected Fine Gael Wexford TD Michael D'arcy owns 200 acres of farmland at Annagh near Gorey, shares in Glanbia and a company involved in livestock genetics, Progressive Genetics.

Fine Gael Roscommon-South Leitrim TD Frank Feighan has income from a newsagent and restaurant in Boyle, Co Roscommon, and properties in Sligo and Dublin. He also owns shares in mining companies Voss net Shelfco, Argonaut Ventures, Onslow, Grandview Gold, Circle Oil, Lapp Plats, African Gold, Pan Andean Resources, Tanzanian Gold Lionore, Mining Minco Mining, Providence Resources and Bezant Resources, along with shares in financial institutions.

Independent TD Beverley Flynn has listed no properties or shares, while Labour leader Eamon Gilmore has listed a half-share in a small property in Caltra.

Fianna Fáil Cork East TD Ned O'Keeffe has once again registered one of the longest share lists, including holdings in Permanent TSB, AIB, Beecham Glaxco, Bank of Ireland, Grafton Plc, Readymix, and a succession of companies listed on the London Stock Exchange.

For full list, see: www.ireland.com/focus/2008/regofinterests/index.pdf.

Mark Hennessy

Mark Hennessy

Mark Hennessy is Ireland and Britain Editor with The Irish Times