Ethics watchdog criticises minister for advertisement appearance

JUNIOR Minister Tom Parlon has received a rap on the knuckles from the State body which monitors the conduct of public office holders.

Mr Parlon, a former Irish Farmers’ Association (IFA) president, provoked controversy last year after appearing in newspaper advertisements for an animal-feed product manufactured by his neighbour, John Grennan.

Mr Parlon defended the advert and stressed he had neither sought nor received payment for it.