Socialist Party to clarify position on Clare Daly resignation

The Socialist Party is to clarify its position on the resignation of TD Clare Daly today. The party will hold a press conference in Dublin later.

The Dublin Northwest TD has redesignated herself as a member of the United Left Alliance, following criticism of her political links to Independent TD Mick Wallace, who made a false VAT declaration to Revenue.

A statement on the Socialist Party website says Ms Daly's political connection to Mr Wallace had potentially damaged the reputation of the party.

It said Deputy Daly had resigned because she placed more value on her political connection with Deputy Wallace than on Socialist Party politics.

An extract from the statement reads: "We have no difficulty in recognising Clare’s many years of hard work, her outstanding record and the public esteem in which she is held. All of this was achieved as a Socialist Party activist.

"This makes the approach that she has adopted and her resignation from the party all the more disappointing for the many members who worked with her through the years and who also played an important role in achieving her election to the Dáil."

Socialist MEP Paul Murphy said: "There was a danger of our reputation being compromised by the connection with Wallace. In trying to break (that connection) and through Clare's resignation, it should be clear to people that the Socialist Party doesn't have any political support for Mick Wallace whatsoever. I think that should (now) be clear to people."