Advertisement

We need your help now

Support from readers like you keeps The Journal open.

You are visiting us because we have something you value. Independent, unbiased news that tells the truth. Advertising revenue goes some way to support our mission, but this year it has not been enough.

If you've seen value in our reporting, please contribute what you can, so we can continue to produce accurate and meaningful journalism. For everyone who needs it.

Euro notes via Shutterstock

Full disclosure: Everything your TDs own and where they put their money

It turns out Labour and Sinn Féin don’t have much…

In a previous version of this article, we incorrectly asserted that Deputy Michelle Mulherin had not properly registered rental properties with the Private Residential Tenancies Board (PRTB) and that she was in breach of regulations governing landlords. Furthermore, our article failed to acknowledge a statement from Deputy Mulherin that she is compliant in relation to landlord regulations. We apologise unreservedly to Deputy Mulherin for this error.

THE REGISTER OF Members’ Interests for 2014 has been published, allowing us a glimpse into the financial affairs of our public representatives.

All Oireachtas members are required to declare any occupation or income (other than being a politician), any company or charity directorships, and any shares, houses, apartments, or land worth more than €13,000 that they had during the previous year.

TheJournal.ie has been crunching the numbers and rifling through the ledgers of all 166 Dáil deputies, including Taoiseach Enda Kenny and the rest of the cabinet.

Here’s everything you could possibly want to know about what your TDs own and where they put their money, including an interactive map for every constituency in the country.

Sunnier climes

Verano en La Playa de Las Canteras Las Palmas de Gran Canaria (Agosto de 2013) Beach on Gran Canaria El Coleccionista de Instantes El Coleccionista de Instantes

Seven TDs – six Fine Gael and one Labour – own property in some of the most desirable holiday locations in the world, according to this year’s register.

Along with 21 hectares of land and a house in Derraghan, Co Longford, Fine Gael deputy James Bannon declares an apartment in San Bartolomé de Tirajana, on Gran Canaria.

Waterford TD John Deasy rents out a spot on the Italian island of Sardinia, while Labour’s Meath East deputy Dominic Hannigan leases his place on Borga San Frediano in the Tuscan city of Florence.

Former Justice Minister Alan Shatter famously owns and rents out an extensive property portfolio in Dublin, London and in the Florida destinations of Naples and Marco Island, on the Gulf of Mexico.

As well as owning property in Athenry, Galway East TD Ciarán Cannon has a holiday home in the picturesque French commune of Banyuls-dels-Aspres, in the southern region of Languedoc-Roussilon.

Frank Feighan owns houses in Leitrim, Sligo, Roscommon, Dublin and according to his declaration, rents out an apartment at Madach Gardens (Goszdu Court) in the Hungarian capital of Budapest.

Party colleague and Cork North-West TD Áine Collins lists properties in Cork and Kerry, as well as leasing her apartment in the popular Algarve resort of Albufeira, on the southern tip of Portugal.

File Photo D Day for the Ceann Comhairle Sean Barrett Sam Boal / Photocall Ireland Sam Boal / Photocall Ireland / Photocall Ireland

Setting aside the stock market (more on that below), a number of TDs, including cabinet members, are investing their money and resources outside the country.

On top of a fairly extensive insurance and property portfolio in Dublin, Ceann Comhairle Seán Barrett has shares in four separate companies, all based at the same address on Jersey in the Channel Islands.

barrett

Jobs Minister Richard Bruton owns shares in Arytza, the Swiss food company which traces its origins to the Irish Agricultural Wholesale Society in Dublin.

Minister for Transport Paschal Donohoe, meanwhile, has shares in Surrey-based consumer goods giant Proctor & Gamble, and party colleague Noel Harrington is invested in a German medical products manufacturer.

Civil engineer Dominic Hannigan is Executive Director of his company Transport Strategies Ltd., which is based in the Wood Green area of north London.

As well as owning shares in it, Hannigan lists himself as a consultant to Transport Strategies, whose headquarters he also owns.

On the opposition benches, former Fianna Fáil Defence Minister Willie O’Dea has a significant portfolio of investments in oil and mining concerns, including Union Jack Oil (Bath), Kaizen Discovery (Vancouver), and Dragon Oil (London).

The Limerick City deputy is also a non-executive director at Union Jack, and the London-based property investment company Formation Group Ltd.

Left-wing TDs don’t own much property

Dail resumes after summer recess PA Archive / Press Association Images PA Archive / Press Association Images / Press Association Images

There is a marked difference in property ownership and financial investments across the parties.

An analysis by TheJournal.ie has found that Labour and Sinn Féin deputies own significantly less land, and far fewer homes and company shares than the other main parties and Independents.

Strikingly, every left-wing TD (from the Anti-Austerity Alliance, People Before Profit Alliance, Socialist Party, and United Left Alliance) returned entirely blank forms.

Likewise Séamus Healy, the Workers and Unemployed Action Group TD for Tipperary South, declared only a residence and office in Clonmel, and is on the board of six local voluntary groups.

The chart below uses a formula to adjust for party size, and shows Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael are evenly matched in terms of land ownership and company shares, although TDs from the governing party own a far higher proportion of houses and apartments.

registerparties

As the chart shows, there’s a major drop-off in property and investments when it comes to Labour and Sinn Féin TDs – with the latter declaring not a single office, place of business or shareholding in 2014.

Furthermore, a far lower proportion of Labour and Sinn Féin deputies declared an interest of any kind: 19 out of 34 for Labour (56%) and 7 out of 14 for Sinn Féin, as compared to 84% among Fianna Fáil TDs.

It’s worth noting that TDs are not required to say exactly how much their property is worth, or how many shares they own in a given company, which would add to our understanding.

Nevertheless, you can check out the details of TheJournal.ie‘s analysis of differences between the major parties here.

  • Interactive: Find your local TDs’ property and investments

registermap

To view interactive maps of TDs’ property and investments, follow the links below for whichever constituency interests you:

Carlow-Kilkenny – Cavan-Monaghan – Clare – Cork East – Cork North-Central – Cork North-West – Cork South-Central – Cork South-West – Donegal North-East – Donegal South-West – Dublin Central – Dublin Mid-West – Dublin North – Dublin North-Central – Dublin North-East – Dublin North-West (none) – Dublin South – Dublin South-Central – Dublin South-East – Dublin South-West – Dublin West (none) – Dún Laoghaire – Galway East – Galway West – Kerry North-West Limerick – Kerry South – Kildare North – Kildare South – Laois-Offaly – Limerick City – Limerick – Longford-Westmeath – Louth – Mayo – Meath East – Meath West – Roscommon-South Leitrim – Sligo-North Leitrim – Tipperary North – Tipperary South – Waterford – Wexford – Wicklow

To download a spreadsheet and filter by constituency, political party, and cabinet position, click here.

To read a PDF of the register of members interests, as published on the Oireachtas website, click here.

That’s where the money is…

registerindustries

When it comes to investing their own money, our TDs opt for shares in financial institutions – banking, insurance, and so on – far more than any other industry.

There are 30 instances of investment in the financial sector, especially Bank of Ireland, AIB and FBD Insurance.

That’s double the number for the second-most popular, stocks and bonds.

Beyond that, the food and agriculture industry sees seven TDs holding shares – three in the Kerry Group alone – six in manufacturing companies, and five for oil and mining, although Willie O’Dea makes up the totality of these investments.

Rolling the dice

Wall Street Ireland Michael Noonan on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange AP / Press Association Images AP / Press Association Images / Press Association Images

One of the most striking features of the register is the wide variety of circumstances among our elected representatives.

As we noted earlier this month, Roscommon South-Leitrim by-election winner Michael Fitzmaurice revealed that he’s been “cutting turf for Bórd na Móna for a good few years,” and that the land he owns is not fit for development because it’s “out the country.”

Contrast this, however, with some of his colleagues’ complex international financial affairs.

There are four TDs who have some kind of investment in stocks and bonds throughout the world.

Fine Gael TD for Waterford, Paudie Coffey owns Irish state prize bonds, and Willie O’Dea has government commercial bonds managed by Merrion Capital in Dublin and Dolmen Ltd. in Limerick city.

The two big stock market players in the chamber, however, are Finance Minister Michael Noonan and Independent TD Shane Ross.

Noonan does a good bit of business on Wall Street and the London Stock Exchange and, as noted by the Sunday Independent, has dropped some of his European shares in exchange for that perennial safe bet – gold.

Since last year, he has also invested in Portugese government bonds.

noonanstocks

Perhaps not surprisingly for a former stockbroker, Dublin South TD Shane Ross has an extensive portfolio including US Treasury bills, German government bonds, and shares in a Scottish investment trust.

The Independent deputy is non-executive director of the Baring Hedge Select Fund in the Cayman Islands as well as the Baring Russia Fund in Luxembourg, and is non-executive chairman of the Henderson Value Trust in Edinburgh.

ross

Dáil Eireann isn’t exactly a bling ring

Holding companies in the Channel Islands and holiday homes in the south of France are all very eye-catching, of course, but overall, our TDs do not report outrageous assets.

Some 42 deputies (just over a quarter) returned entirely blank forms, and a further 34 declared just one house, apartment or piece of land.

Roughly-speaking, this means around half of deputies have quite modest property ownership and investments, although the €87,000 salary afforded them (though not accepted by all), puts this in perspective.

All TDs from two constituencies – Dublin West and Dublin North-West – declared no interests whatsoever.

Read: Richard Bruton had to hand over an expensive watch he got in Saudi Arabia>

Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone...
A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation.

Close
129 Comments
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Keith Fay
    Favourite Keith Fay
    Report
    Feb 10th 2016, 7:56 AM

    Where to buy?

    36
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute William Clay
    Favourite William Clay
    Report
    Feb 10th 2016, 8:03 AM

    In Dublin -The Brew Dock, Against the Grain, Alfie Byrnes, The Black Sheep and well stocked off licences.

    35
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Dara McGann
    Favourite Dara McGann
    Report
    Feb 10th 2016, 8:04 AM

    Any craft off licenses. You can get it on draft in any of the Galway bay bars http://www.galwaybaybrewery.com/bars/

    25
    See 5 more replies ▾
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Keith Fay
    Favourite Keith Fay
    Report
    Feb 10th 2016, 8:26 AM

    Cheers

    13
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Larry L'Oiseau
    Favourite Larry L'Oiseau
    Report
    Feb 10th 2016, 8:28 AM

    Off-license = off-licenCe
    Draft = draught

    17
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute oriainarama
    Favourite oriainarama
    Report
    Feb 10th 2016, 8:33 AM

    Craft = craught…..aw no wait

    70
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute C O'Neill
    Favourite C O'Neill
    Report
    Feb 10th 2016, 8:36 AM

    Kavanaghs in Dorset Street might sell it too, another great craft pub with excellent staff.

    9
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute BrianBrian
    Favourite BrianBrian
    Report
    Feb 10th 2016, 3:09 PM
    1
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Peter Gavin
    Favourite Peter Gavin
    Report
    Feb 10th 2016, 8:15 AM

    8.5%! Can’t beat the double IPA. Well done folks

    29
    Mr A
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Mr A
    Favourite Mr A
    Report
    Feb 10th 2016, 8:48 AM

    i knew there was a good reason to visit Galway :-)

    20
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Al-Right
    Favourite Al-Right
    Report
    Feb 10th 2016, 9:46 AM

    And not just for the Galway Hookers! ;)

    25
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Pat Mannix Coyne
    Favourite Pat Mannix Coyne
    Report
    Feb 10th 2016, 4:12 PM

    Also a beer!!

    4
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Pete Slattery
    Favourite Pete Slattery
    Report
    Feb 10th 2016, 8:36 AM

    Well done to them. They really are the best brewers in the country. Of Foam And Fury is one of my favourite tipples.

    18
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute C O'Neill
    Favourite C O'Neill
    Report
    Feb 10th 2016, 8:37 AM

    I am looking forward to trying it out.

    9
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute bacoxy
    Favourite bacoxy
    Report
    Feb 10th 2016, 7:57 AM

    Well done Galway Bay Brewing company… #upourside

    16
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Old Gabby Johnson
    Favourite Old Gabby Johnson
    Report
    Feb 10th 2016, 8:37 AM

    Yeah – you know Arthur Guinness once ran a small brewery – had a quality product and well look what happened. I say we burn down their breweries before they too commercial… also not everyone should buy them cos then they’ll get more money and seek to expand.

    Now i’m off to work after a nice cup of tweeks coffee.

    9
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Eel Knack Mole
    Favourite Eel Knack Mole
    Report
    Feb 10th 2016, 9:25 AM

    He did Gabby. Then his company bought up breweries around the country just to close them down. They used their brand power to force other competitors out of the market. Soon they had a monopoly and controlled the taps of every pub in Ireland. Nobody said Guinness was a bad beer, but many lamented a lack of choice. You can have Guinness, Smithwicks or Harp. Nothing else. Eventually they got adventurous and replaced Harp taps with Carlsberg and Budweiser. And so it remained until some brave entrepreneurs tried to challenge the status quo.

    26
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute William Clay
    Favourite William Clay
    Report
    Feb 10th 2016, 7:59 AM

    Prefer their Bay Ale but we’ll done to them though

    15
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute mcgoo
    Favourite mcgoo
    Report
    Feb 10th 2016, 8:04 AM

    Galway hooker and Copper Coast Red Ale would be my two personal favourites at the moment

    15
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute That's That
    Favourite That's That
    Report
    Feb 10th 2016, 7:56 AM

    I once had a pint of that foam and fury and it put me off craft stout forever

    13
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute tmwtbc
    Favourite tmwtbc
    Report
    Feb 10th 2016, 8:02 AM

    Some of the stouts are vile.

    12
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Eoin McDowell
    Favourite Eoin McDowell
    Report
    Feb 10th 2016, 8:11 AM

    It’s not a stout.

    53
    See 8 more replies ▾
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Derek Sheridan
    Favourite Derek Sheridan
    Report
    Feb 10th 2016, 8:11 AM

    Its not a stout, maybe you are confusing it with something else

    36
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Kevin Cosgrove
    Favourite Kevin Cosgrove
    Report
    Feb 10th 2016, 8:13 AM

    Buried at sea is the Galway Brewing Companies stout. Tried it before, very strong flavour. Wouldn’t be to alot of peoples liking. Foam and fury is a really nice double IPA.

    25
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Al-Right
    Favourite Al-Right
    Report
    Feb 10th 2016, 8:19 AM

    I think some people can be shocked when they discover that beer actually has a taste!

    46
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Al-Right
    Favourite Al-Right
    Report
    Feb 10th 2016, 8:20 AM

    Try “White Hag Oatmeal Stout” amazing!

    14
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute the phantom
    Favourite the phantom
    Report
    Feb 10th 2016, 8:23 AM

    Even more shocking is the hangovers some of the “craft” beers give. Reckon quality control is out the window on some of them

    10
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute That's That
    Favourite That's That
    Report
    Feb 10th 2016, 9:03 AM

    Perhaps I am, I asked for a Guinness they said they had none and served Me foam and fury. My bad,sorry guys.

    6
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Al-Right
    Favourite Al-Right
    Report
    Feb 10th 2016, 9:45 AM

    Most big brand lagers are around the 4 to 5% alcohol mark..

    Foam and Fury is 8.5% so if you’re knocking them back like a pint of Bud expect a bad hangover!

    21
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Anton Friendo
    Favourite Anton Friendo
    Report
    Feb 10th 2016, 10:54 AM

    @Al Right

    That is the problem in Ireland. people go on sessions and drink 15 pints. That is why all these Buds and Heinos and others are so popular. But things are changing.

    Black Donkey beer is also nice I think its from the West too

    8
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Tony Stack
    Favourite Tony Stack
    Report
    Feb 10th 2016, 10:23 AM

    Great beers, Full sail is my favorite

    5
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Aural Abuse
    Favourite Aural Abuse
    Report
    Feb 10th 2016, 10:21 AM

    If your looking for it in a bottle mchughs.ie have it and many more.

    5
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Al-Right
    Favourite Al-Right
    Report
    Feb 10th 2016, 11:19 AM

    Most Supervalu’s too

    3
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Suzanne Smith
    Favourite Suzanne Smith
    Report
    Feb 10th 2016, 2:19 PM

    Check out Of Foam & Fury beer flavoured chilli sauce by Mics Chilli! Amazing for marinating steaks!

    4
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Niall Power
    Favourite Niall Power
    Report
    Feb 10th 2016, 10:34 AM

    Metalman brewing’s Equinox is my favorite beer, its outstanding!

    4
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Conor
    Favourite Conor
    Report
    Feb 10th 2016, 2:03 PM

    Well done Galway Bay Brewery!!!

    4
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute General Gaz
    Favourite General Gaz
    Report
    Feb 10th 2016, 3:05 PM

    You can get Foam and Fury and Rustbucket in McHughs bar Ennis as well as a lot of other Irish and international craft beers

    3
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute General Gaz
    Favourite General Gaz
    Report
    Feb 10th 2016, 3:38 PM

    @McHughs_Bar

    1
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Carlin Ite
    Favourite Carlin Ite
    Report
    Feb 10th 2016, 12:43 PM

    I miss the Biddy Early Brewery. They were doing before it was trendy.

    3
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Reuben Gray
    Favourite Reuben Gray
    Report
    Feb 10th 2016, 2:24 PM

    So was Porterhouse, Carlow and Franciscan Well. They still exist though Franciscan Well is now part of Molson Coors.

    OFAF is a cracking beer as are the other two.

    6
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Richard Griffin
    Favourite Richard Griffin
    Report
    Feb 10th 2016, 11:52 AM

    Muck….

    2
Submit a report
Please help us understand how this comment violates our community guidelines.
Thank you for the feedback
Your feedback has been sent to our team for review.
JournalTv
News in 60 seconds