Agriculture minister resigns as Taoiseach admits event should not have happened

Taoiseach Micheál Martin has said the Oireachtas Golf Society event in Clifden "should not have gone ahead in the manner it did".

In a statement this morning, the Taoiseach confirmed that he had accepted the resignation of Dara Calleary as Minister for Agriculture.

The Taoiseach said: "This morning Deputy Dara Calleary tendered his resignation as Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, following his attendance at the Oireachtas golf dinner on Wednesday evening. His attendance at this event was wrong and an error of judgement on his part. I have accepted his resignation. People all over the country have made very difficult, personal sacrifices in their family lives and in their businesses to comply with Covid regulations. This event should not have gone ahead in the manner it did given the Government decision of last Tuesday.

"Dara Calleary, since he was first elected to Dail Eireann has been, and remains, a committed and dedicated public representative. This error of judgement was out of character. He has made the right decision for the country, particularly in the light of our continued efforts to supress Covid-19."

The Minister for Agriculture and Mayo TD Dara Calleary has confirmed he is resigning from Cabinet after attending an event in Clifden, Co Galway, with 80 other people on Wednesday night.

Yesterday evening, the Minister apologised for attending an event with more than 80 people in breach of public health guidelines.

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

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

In a statement yesterday evening, the minister said: "In light of the updated public health guidance this week I should not have attended the event."

Deputy Calleary's resignation means the country will have its third agriculture minister in two months.

Only last month was Deputy Barry Cowen sacked from the position. The Offaly TD had been at the centre of controversy over a drink-driving ban he received four years ago.

The Westmeath Independent is endeavouring local political figures who are reported to have attended the event for comment.