The public hearing into an alleged breach of the Ethics in Public Office Act by the former Minister of State, Mr Ned O'Keeffe, will not take place at the end of this month as scheduled. The inquiry by the Public Offices Commission, is the first public examination of a politician under the ethics legislation. It is believed it will not take place for at least another month. The delay is apparently due to the holiday season; various people involved are on vacation.
The allegations concern Mr O'Keeffe's declaration under the Act in relation to his Co Cork pig farm. He resigned as a Minister of State for Agriculture in February.