LAST UPDATE | 31 Aug 2022
NEWLY APPOINTED MINISTER of State for Trade Promotion, Digital and Company Regulation, Dara Calleary, has said his involvement in Golfgate in August 2020 was a “mistake” and it was time to move on.
Taoiseach Micheál Martin appointed Calleary to the position today during the first Cabinet meeting since the summer recess.
The appointment of Calleary to the junior ministry came a week after the resignation of Robert Troy, following a two week long controversy over his failure to declare property interests.
Speaking about his attendance at the Oireachtas Golf Society dinner on RTÉ Raidió na Gaeltachta this evening, Calleary said:
“I made a mistake at the time. It was clear and I understand that mistake; I understood the responsibility and I resigned from office. That was two years ago and I understand that the majority of people understand that we have moved on as well.”
“We need to move forward and I am keeping an eye on the job that I have. But as was said at the time, I made a mistake. I put my hands up for that mistake and I learned from that mistake. And I have an opportunity to move on and to keep an eye on the problems that small businesses have especially.”
“There are a lot of problems in this country, so the Government is and will be working to solve these problems and it will be an important job to help with that [...] and we have work to do to in relation to energy problems, especially for small businesses, that’s the biggest thing at the moment. So we’re continuing and keeping our eyes on the problems people have.”
Calleary was previously appointed as Agriculture Minister following the sacking of Barry Cowen in July 2020.
In a statement, the Taoiseach said that Calleary would bring “considerable experience” to the role.
“Dara brings considerable experience to this role, having already served in the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment,” said Martin.
“A professional and diligent worker, I have no doubt Dara will hit the ground running, in helping indigenous Irish companies face the significant challenges and opportunities ahead, as well as overseeing important legislative reforms of the Personal Injuries Assessment Board.”
Speaking after his appointment, Calleary said that he was “delighted”.
“I look forward to getting stuck in straight away and continuing to build on the great work my colleague Robert Troy TD has done in the department,” he said.
“The Department is full of hard-working and talented people and I’m looking forward to working alongside them.”
Martin had previously said that Calleary had paid a “high price” for the Golfgate controversy, but had suggested there might have been a “way back” for the Mayo TD.
In comments made after the conclusion of the Golfgate trial in February, Martin said:
In many ways what he did it was a very high price for him to have paid, it was very dignified what he did. And in many ways he ensured the continuation of the trust in terms of how we manage Covid-19 as a government that brings in restrictions. There is always, of course the door is always open and there’s always a way back for a person of the calibre of Dara, that’s clear
Calleary has been a TD since 2007 and had previously held a junior ministry in the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment between 2009 and 2011.
He also resigned as Deputy leader of Fianna Fáil following the Golfgate controversy.
To embed this post, copy the code below on your site
have your say