Ex-Fianna Fáil minister and MEP election candidate Conor Lenihan has rejected claims that his close Russian business ties risk making him Ireland’s answer to Donald Trump, saying he has nothing to “hide” over his post-Dáil work.

Ex-Fianna Fáil junior minister Conor Lenihan’s bid to return to the Dáil has come crashing down to earth after the TD failed to even be nominated for a key candidate short-list.

Former Irish Minister for Science, Technology, Innovation & Natural Resources, Conor Lenihan has warned that unless Ireland weans itself off its property addiction and reforms the welfare system, we are all going to end up working for the Asian companies.

Russian billionaire Viktor Vekselberg will name Conor Lenihan, the former minister of state for science, as a senior adviser for his Renova Group investment company, according to two people with knowledge of the move.

Cork City Hall was converted into a technology nirvana yesterday as leaders from life sciences, technology education and investment took to the stage to plan for Ireland digital future.