Attorney General who advised Varadkar's government to refuse a rent price freeze was a private landlord! Paul Gallagher is now being accused of a conflict of interests.
The Attorney General who advised the Government against a rent hike freeze is also a landlord, the Irish Mirror has learned.
Paul Gallagher is listed on the Residential Tenancies Board register as the owner of a five- bedroom house in Milltown, Dublin, along with his wife, Blathna Ruane.
This is separate from the family home, which is located in leafy Ballsbridge, and another property that Mr Gallagher owns in Kerry.
He has now been accused of having a potential conflict of interest after advising on the Covid rent freeze ending.
The Attorney General is required under Section 16 of the Standards In Public Office regulations to disclose to the Taoiseach interests which could "materially influence you in or in relation to the performance of your official functions".
A spokesman for the Attorney General told the Irish Mirror: “The matter was fully disclosed to the Taoiseach and the Cabinet.”
But Sinn Fein housing spokesman Eoin O Broin believes the Taoiseach and the Attorney General still have questions to answer.
He said: “Did the Attorney General furnish the Taoiseach with a statement in writing on this possible conflict of interest as required under Section 16 of the Ethics in Public Office Act?
“Is the Taoiseach satisfied the Attorney General’s co-ownership of a private rental property in no way presents a conflict of interest with his advice on legislation relating to landlord and tenant law?”
 |
 |