Image via Twitter/@MichealMartinTD''This error of judgement was out of character.''
The recently appointed Agriculture Minister Dara Calleary has resigned, after breaking Covid 19 guidelines.
Mr Calleary went to an Oireachtas golf event at a hotel in Galway on Wednesday attended by 80 others - in breach of the governments new policy on the amount of people who can attend indoor events.
The Taoiseach has accepted his resignation and says it was wrong and an error of judgement.
Michael Martin also believes the event should not have gone ahead.
Minister Calleary says his attendance has underminded the government's efforts to tackle Covid 19.
Resignation letter:
Dear Taoiseach,
Further to our conversation last night I have reflected on my position in government overnight.
The overriding objective of this government is to protect our people against Covid-19. It's destructive path has left grief and illness across our island. There has been a major national effort to do this since March and people are making huge sacrifices and suffering economic loss to do this.
My attendance at Wednesdays evenings event has undermined that effort. I certainly never intended this to be the case.
I re-iterate my apology to the people of our island. Their work and their commitment in this great effort has been immense.
I apologise in particular to health care workers and their families and to public health officials who's jobs I have inadvertently made more difficult.
And again I apologise to you and all colleagues in government.
Whilst I mean that apology most sincerely, it is not sufficient and accordingly I am tendering my resignation to you as Minister for Agriculture Food and the Marine.
It has been a privilege to serve in this Department-if even for a short few weeks. It is an outstanding organisation with incredibly dedicated public servants serving our agriculture, food and marine communities both here and abroad.
Thank you for giving me that privilege and I once again extend my apologies and regret.
Le gach dhea ghui
Dara Calleary TD
Taoiseach statement.
In his statement, 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''.
