Fahey to declare his apartment co-ownership

The Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources, Mr Fahey, has agreed to declare his co-ownership of an apartment in Florida…

The Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources, Mr Fahey, has agreed to declare his co-ownership of an apartment in Florida under the Ethics in Public Office Act.

This follows a ruling by the Ethics in Public Office Commission that he should seek to amend the register. In his 2000 declaration to the commission, Mr Fahey recorded his interest in a number of properties, at home and in the US, but did not disclose that he was the registered co-owner of a Florida apartment.

It is understood that the commission is not proposing to take any further action against the Minister once he amends the register.

The commission sought an explanation from the Minister and Galway West TD after a report just over two months ago in the Evening Herald claimed Mr Fahey's name appeared on the title deeds of a £130,000 Daytona Beach property.

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Mr Fahey has explained that he originally intended to go guarantor for Mr John Cahill, a close friend, on the two-bedroom apartment at South Atlantic Avenue, Daytona Beach Shores, which was purchased in August 1999. However, the US bank involved insisted that his name appear on the deed even though he had no beneficial interest in it.

Lorna Siggins

Lorna Siggins

Lorna Siggins is the former western and marine correspondent of The Irish Times