LAST UPDATE | 14 May

THE WATCHDOG RESPONSIBLE with upholding public standards of politicians is to hold an investigation hearing into allegations surrounding former junior enterprise minister Robert Troy next month. 

Troy resigned from his Minister of State position after it was found by investigative journalism platform ‘The Ditch’ that he had failed to declare, in full, his property and business interests between 2020 and 2022.

Before resigning from his ministerial position, the sitting Fianna Fáil TD for Longford-Westmeath corrected the register and the initial hearings process began within the Standards In Public Office Commission (SIPO). 

On 13 December, Troy claimed that SIPO found there was no prima facie evidence – or at first sight evidence – to support the suggestion that there was a conflict of interest relating to his public statements.

However despite that, SIPO chose to move forward with a full investigation, under Section 23 of the Ethics in Public Office Act 1995.

It has now been confirmed that an investigation hearing into alleged contraventions of the Ethics in Public Office Act 1995 and the Standards in Public Office Act 2001 by Troy will be held by SIPO in its offices at 10am on 10 June. 

In a statement this afternoon, Troy said he “welcomed confirmation from SIPO that a hearing date has been set for next month”. 

“As previously stated, I am fully committed to engaging with SIPO,” he said. 

Troy said he won’t be making any further comment until after the hearing is completed. 

With reporting by Muiris O’Cearbhaill