Oireachtas awaits legal advice on Lowry complaints

The Oireachtas is awaiting legal advice on whether a high-level committee will investigate complaints about Independent TD Michael Lowry and land he owns.

Over 300 complaints have been received by Kieran Coughlan, clerk of the Dáil, regarding land the Tipperary North TD owns in Wigan, England.

The Oireachtas told the Irish Examiner that following an unprecedented number of public complaints, Mr Coughlan was awaiting legal advice on whether to forward the matter to the committee on members’ interests.

A statement said: “Following further consideration the clerk of the Dáil is seeking legal advice on the matter.

“Accordingly the clerk of the Dáil is not in a position to make a decision at this stage as to whether the complaints should be referred to the committee on members’ interests. He expects to be in such a position shortly.”

Mr Lowry was forced to declare his interest in the 22-acre Wigan site with the Oireachtas last week, despite initially saying the land was worthless. As the Irish Examiner has reported, the property has twice been considered for lucrative rezoning options in the last year.

Mr Lowry bought the site in 2001 with Liam Carroll, another member of his horse racing syndicate. Oireachtas ethics rules stipulate that any land or property worth over €13,000 must be disclosed.

Mr Coughlan is the first port of call for complaints about non-compliance with the ethics rules. Under legislation, a complaint is referred to the members’ interests committee unless the clerk forms the opinion that the complaint is frivolous or vexatious or that there is “not sufficient evidence to establish a prima facie case in relation to the complaint”.

If the Dáil’s committee on members’ interests is furnished, it will then decide whether there is evidence that sustains a case to probe the matter. The committee has the power to sanction TDs, dock their pay, and suspend them from membership of the Dáil.

Mr Lowry has said he has declared his 50% share in the land but believes he is under no obligation to do so because the site is of “negligible value”.