Dempsey to repay €2,600 used for FF election packs

EDUCATION Minister Noel Dempsey will repay almost €2,600 to his Department after the parliamentary ethics watchdog found he had not adhered to the code of conduct for office holders.

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.