Image via Twitter/ @NiallCollinsTDA junior Minister is denying any wrongdoing about a land sale in Co. Limerick 15 years ago.
Fianna Fail's Niall Collins has been under pressure to make a Dail statement on the transaction, amid allegations he was a member of Limerick County council when it voted to dispose of the land, later bought by the Deputy's wife.
In a statement the Minister of State for Higher Education says the land in Patrickwell was sold following a 'transparent and open sales process, which was open to all'.
He's also says he was not a member of the council in September 2008 when the decision to sell was approved, having been elected as a TD in May 2007.
The junior Minister said:
“In September 2008 at a statutory meeting of the Limerick County Council the sale of a property in Patrickswell was approved and sold following a transparent and open sales process, which was open to all.
“For the record I was not a member of the council in September 2008, having been elected as a TD in May 2007. Prior to the sale in 2008, the property was advertised in the local public press.
“When the council executive recommended to the Bruff LEA committee that the property should be put up for sale in January 2007, neither I nor my wife had any pecuniary or beneficial interest in that property. There was no disagreement to the executive’s recommendation.”
