I wish to take this opportunity to address the controversy which has emerged and which has been the subject of considerable press coverage. I do so, so as to not further distract from the important business of the Oireachtas and to deal with matters which are clearly of public concern.
I am very proud to serve as Senator, having been elected to Seanad Eireann in 2007. At that time, I retired from business and from Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Council. Because my family were all reared, I moved, with my wife, to Graiguenamanagh, where I was born. In fact, it is from this home that my daughter married in 2007 and from where my homecoming was celebrated after the Senate election. If it were not for the slump in the property market, we had intended selling our Foxrock house, which, while serving as a Councillor from 1991 to 2007, I operated from.
I live in Graiguenamanagh, and this is my home. On sitting days of the Seanad, I stay at my house in Foxrock. For practical purposes, all postal and other communication is addressed to these premises.
I acknowledge that in the minds of some that to maintain my Dublin address in respect of my political activities may have given rise to the rumours which have circulated concerning expenses and allowances, but these are ill founded.
Notwithstanding the above, I acknowledge that this is a distraction to the work of Houses of the Oireachtas, An Taoiseach, Fianna Fáil and the Country; all having more important issues to deal with.
Accordingly, this evening, I personally informed An Taoiseach, that I have resigned the whip from the Fianna Fáil Parliamentary Party, in the interests of the Party, and with immediate effect.
I propose to deal with this matter with the Seanad Members' Interests Committee and have confidence that the Cathaoirleach, and the Committee, will clear my name, as quickly as possible.
This is what I consider to be the right decision at this time.