Sign in. It’s quick, free and it’s up to you.
An account is an optional way to support the work we do. Find out more.
MINISTER FOR FINANCE Paschal Donohoe has begun the process of transferring all shares he holds in Diageo to his wife in a bid to avoid any potential conflict ahead of next month’s Budget.
In July, the minister was asked if he plans to sell his shares in Diageo because he now has control over excise in October’s Budget.
In 2015, The Irish Times reported that Donohoe, who was then the Minister for Sport, had absented himself from all decisions relating to a Bill dealing with the issue of alcohol sponsorship of sports because he holds shares in the drinks company.
In light of his new ministerial position, questions were asked about whether there is now a conflict of interest with his shares.
“There’s nothing that I have ever done in my career that I have been privileged to have, as a public representative and a Cabinet minister, that has focused on what my private interests are.
“My guiding principle is in the public’s interest and that was the case when I had to make decisions in relation to how we invested in transport and tourism when I was Minister for Public Expenditure and that will continue to be the case,” Donohoe told reporters in July.
It’s understood the shares, (which can be seen here in the Standards in Public Office Commission (Sipo) Member’s Declarations), were granted to the minister’s wife during her employment with Diageo – a company she no longer works for.
A spokesperson for the minister confirmed to TheJournal.ie that Donohoe has never worked for the drinks industry, confirming that a portion of the shares were jointly held in the minister’s and his wife’s name.
“The process of putting all shares back into the minister’s wife’s name is now underway. This process will have no impact on any decision taken by the minister on Budget Day,” they added.
To embed this post, copy the code below on your site
My daughter is a social care worker with adults with learning difficulties & in her place of work they still haven’t been tested. All these adults are all live in house’s where she works.
I’d like to see some up to date reports of testing figures. This article quotes 188,837 from last Saturday, even though a figure of 214,761 has been published since then. What is the current figure for community testing?
It is right we test the people in Direct Provision as a priority because they have suffered enough after fleeing war torn countries.
@Frances Faller: nobody should be a priority in this. Everybody needs to be treated the same. Nobody’s health is more or less important than anyone else, does not matter where they came from
@Frances Faller: This is a common misconception. One can claim asylum under many different categories including sexual orientatation
@Ali Ní Dhomhnaill: maybe not a priority but their pleas shouldn’t be falling on deaf ears for weeks now. Money talks – FG don’t want to challenge those making a fortune out it direct provision to implement social distancing.
Also the Irish public just doesn’t care.
@Ali Ní Dhomhnaill: not true. Not everyone has the luxury of isolating themselves. People in direct provision and nursing homes are by default in environments where it’s difficult to isolate and where the virus is more easily transmitted. Tackling these outbreaks helps to eradicate the virus for everyone.
@Frances Faller: but what to do with the with people in direct provision that are making a mockery of the asylum process Pamela Izevbekhai springs to mind, cost the state half a millon Euro.There is no war in Albania, Moldova,Nigeria,Zimbabwe,Pakistan and Bangladesh to name but a few.
@JJandtim Dwyer: The Irish went all over the world and was treated very well and a lot became millionaires. All the refugees want is the same chance.
@Frances Faller: no problem with people coming from war torn countries, but as a certain Judge who is an expert on the topic,stated that 95% of asylum seekers are not telling the truth on why they came to Ireland, but in fact they come for work/migration
@Frances Faller: you are terrible at trolling
@Frances Faller: Have absolutely no problem with people coming here from a war torn country, its their right to seek shelter from tyranny,but I will not be made a fool of by those that spin the most outrageous yarns to gain access to my country.
I am sick to death of this comparison of , The Irish went all over the world , of course they did as they had their land was confiscated and their crops stolen , and were transported for stealing a loaf of bread, They built countries infrastructure , railways , highways, Dams and broke their backs doing it and never requested a nice hotel in the city.with 3 meals a day and weekly payment.
Their is nothing free in this world we al have to do our bit there is no such thing as a free lunch.
@JJandtim Dwyer: Well said. That horse that is usually trotted out about the Irish going “all over the world” when really it was to anglophone countries in the vast majority of cases, and as you rightly point out – it was sink or swim for those Irish souls.
Deport.
Why were they tested? Were they in at risk categories?
The Irish went all over the world and were treated well?? It’s for exactly the opposite reason we should have empathy with asylum seekers ‘ no dogs and no Irish ‘
have your say