Paul Daly admits 'serious lapse of judgement' over Clifden event

The Fianna Fail whip in the Seanad Senator Paul Daly, from Kilbeggan, has said he should not have attended the Oireachtas Golf Society event in Clifden.

The Irish Examiner reported he was among the guests at an Oireachtas Golf Society event in a hotel in Clifden, Co Galway, on Wednesday night.

There were 81 people attending the dinner, with people split into two parts by a partition.

This morning, Dara Calleary, who also attended the event, resigned his role as Minister for Agriculture over the controversy. And the Taoiseach has said the event should not have happened.

Daly confirmed he also was in attendance and admitted he should not have done so.

He said: "I attended the event in the Station House Hotel, Clifden. With the changes to public health advice I should not have done so.

"As a public representative it was a serious lapse of judgement on my part and I am truly sorry.

"I apologise unreservedly for the upset I have caused."

Daly issued his statement on Twitter and has been contacted for comment.