Coveney backs Perry after €2.4m commercial court judgement

A senior Fine Gael Minister said that he is confident that Junior Minister John Perry will be able to remain on in his job - depsite a €2.47m judgement against him and his wife, in the commercial court yesterday.

A senior Fine Gael Minister said that he is confident that Junior Minister John Perry will be able to remain on in his job - despite a €2.47m judgement against him and his wife, in the commercial court yesterday.

The judgement related to a €2.42m loan advanced to the couple by Danske Bank in October 2011.

It is speculated the judgement may put pressure on Minister Perry - given his position as the Minister of State for Small Business.

The Minister for Agriculture Simon Coveney said he hopes that is not the case.

"I think he can relate to a lot of small business because he is a small businesses person himself and he understands the pressures of the last number of years on lots of business people and lots of families

"My view on John is that he has done a really good job as a Minister with responsibility for small businesses and I am confident he will be able to stay in that position.