Suspended FF TD has 'nothing to hide'

Former Junior Agriculture Minister Ned O’Keeffe says he has nothing to hide following his suspension from the Dáil.

Earlier today, a key Dáil committee decided to suspend the Fianna Fail TD for 10 days for alleged breaches of ethics legislation.

Deputy O’Keeffe resigned from his position as Minister of State after an investigation was launched into his alleged breach of legislation.

Today, he made a submission to the Dáil Committee on Members Interests, after which the committee decided to suspend him for 10 days.

The investigation related to his failure to declare his interest in a matter being discussed by the Dáil, and to include shareholdings of his family in the annual declaration of interests.

In a statement this evening, the TD criticised the fact that today’s hearing was held in private and said he wanted it in public.

"I have nothing to hide," he said. "I intend to make a detailed and comprehensive statement in the Dáil next week covering all aspects in the fullest detail."