Lowry ‘inadvertently’ broke ethics rules

The Dáil’s standards watchdog has ruled that Tipperary TD Michael Lowry “inadvertently” broke ethics rules.

The Dáil’s committee on members’ interests investigated the Independent politician after receiving three complaints from TD Luke “Ming” Flanagan.

Mr Flanagan alleged that Mr Lowry had committed three breaches of the Ethics in Public Office Acts by failing to declare in the register of interests shareholdings in Abbeygreen Consulting and Garuda Ltd, and that he was the beneficial owner of 11 acres of land at Gortnahoe, Two-Mile- Borris, Tipperary.

The committee found that while the failure to declare shareholdings did breach the act it was “inadvertent” and “was a minor contravention and that Deputy Lowry had acted in good faith”.

The report concluded: “The committee accepted Deputy Lowry’s submitted evidence to the effect that: Having registered his directorship in both Abbeygreen Consulting Ltd and Garuda Ltd, he had inadvertently thought he had acted in compliance with his obligations.

“The committee found that the contravention was continuing and decided that Deputy Lowry must, within 28 days, take the necessary steps to amend his entry in the register of interests for 2009 in order to secure compliance with the acts.

“At the expiration of the 28-day period, the committee will consider whether, in all the circumstances, it is appropriate that a motion be moved in the House, specifying such action as the comm-ittee may consider appropriate.”

Regarding ownership of the land at Gortnahoe, the committee found Mr Lowry was not in breach of the acts.