Dempsey to repay €2,600 used for FF election packs
This occured when he was sending out 'information' packs to Fianna Fáil election candidates.
Mr Dempsey yesterday told the Dáil that the Standards in Public Office Commission (SIPO) had decided against a full investigation into his use of departmental resources to prepare the glossy packs. However, Mr Dempsey conceded the commission had found he did not have regard to, and was not guided by, the terms of the code of conduct for office holders.
"I am offering an apology to my colleagues in Government and to the House and have made arrangements to repay €2,590.40 to the department. This was the cost of the material and time of civil servants," he said.
Mr Dempsey's spokesperson later said the Fianna Fáil party will pay the funds.
The glossy covers on the information packs comprised the biggest cost at €1,200. The cost for photocopying was €700; the paper costs were €136 and staff costs came to €554.
Mr Dempsey's statement to the Dáil came two days before the SIPO was due to make public its findings. It also came after inquiries were made to the department by the Irish Examiner. The spokesperson denied that this had prompted yesterday's statement.
The glossy packs distributed to Fianna Fáil candidates around the country were tailored for each county, giving detailed breakdowns of building and educational programmes.
Fine Gael's education spokesperson Olywn Enright said that although SIPO had decided against a full investigation, it had still made a finding against Mr Dempsey.
"The best thing that can be said is that he showed poor judgment.
"The worst is that he was prepared to do anything to help FF stay in power," she said.
Her Labour counterpart, Jan O'Sullivan, welcomed the fact that Mr Dempsey had "belatedly realised his conduct was not in accordance with the code of conduct".
CONNECT WITH US TODAY
Be the first to know the latest news and updates
