Almost 80 TDs and Senators are landlords or landowners with some politicians holding substantial property portfolios, the latest register of members’ interests shows.
Some 48 TDs own rental properties or land while 29 Senators also have property and land interests.
The biggest landlord in the Dáil is Michael Healy Rae who disclosed he has 18 properties for letting as well as more than 100 acres of farmland, a service station and yard. The properties for rent include student accommodation, rooms and houses in Limerick and Kerry.
The houses to let are located across Co Kerry — from Killarney to Tralee.
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In the Dáil register of members’ interests, Sinn Féin TD Johnny Guirke declared rental income from properties in Oldcastle in Meath, Tuam in Galway, and Edgeworthstown in Longford.
Green Party TD Brian Leddin said he was a landlord with a rental on the North Circular Road in Limerick while former Labour leader Alan Kelly declared a holiday home that is sometimes let in Ballinskelligs, Co Kerry.
Wexford Fine Gael TD Paul Kehoe also declared his occupation as a landlord and listed three properties including two apartments in Weafer Street, Enniscorthy, and an apartment on Haddington Road in Dublin 2 which he co-owned.
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Independent TD Sean Canney also listed several lettings including three apartments in St Jarlath’s Place, Galway as well as three other properties in Galway.
Fine Gael TD Alan Dillon declared a letting in Carrabeag, Castlebar, while Fianna Fáil TD Seán Haughey had rental income from properties in Kinsealy and Portmarnock in Dublin.
Sinn Féin TD in Louth Ruairí Ó Murchú declared his use of the rent-a-room scheme while Fianna Fáil TD for Cavan-Monaghan Brendan Smith said he has an apartment in Dublin which is rented, which is understood to be in the city centre.
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Fianna Fáil Minister for Agriculture Charlie McConalogue declared rental income from an apartment in Ashtown. It is understood this apartment is in the Chandler Building in the north Dublin suburb.
Multiple properties
A large number of TDs declared ownership of land for farming including the Minister for Social Protection Heather Humphreys who listed more than 25 hectares in Monaghan. Chairman of the Fine Gael parliamentary party Richard Bruton declared farmland in Meath while Fine Gael TD Peter Burke listed more than 22 hectares of farmland in Westmeath on the register.
Fianna Fáil Minister of State for European Affairs Thomas Byrne declared rental income from a property in Rossnowlagh, Co Donegal, while Galway TD Ciarán Cannon owns a holiday home in France.
Former minister for agriculture Michael Creed also listed his occupation as a landlord. He declared three apartments and a commercial unit in Macroom as well as a holiday home in Glenbeigh.
Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly said he was letting two properties: one in Sandyford and one in Offaly.
Independent TD Matt Shanahan declared a letting in Ballybeg Park in Waterford. Fianna Fáil TD James Lawless also said he was the lessor for a property in Sallins, Kildare. Independent TD Peter Fitzpatrick listed a rental on the Old Golf Links Road in Dundalk.
In the Seanad, Independent Senator Frances Black referenced a rental property in Norfolk Parade, Belfast. Fine Gael Senator Paddy Burke declared two rentals in Nottingham while Fine Gael Senator Martin Conway declared several apartments and rental units in Co Clare, including two which are described as being rented long term to local authorities.
Fine Gael Senator Joe O’Reilly declared rental income from a pub while Fianna Fáil Senator Ned O’Sullivan declared €4,000 in rental income from a property in Listowel, Co Kerry.
Also on the Seanad register of members’ interests, Green Senator Vincent Martin said he was a landlord listing two properties on the quays in Dublin. Fianna Fáil Senator Robbie Gallagher also listed himself as a landlord with shares in properties in Monaghan and Donegal.
