Browne's reputation 'seriously wounded' after housing tsar candidate withdraws

It is understood that there had been some belief among Fine Gael ministers that James Browne had 'messed it up' by allowing Brendan McDonagh's name to become public. File Picture: Niall Carson/PA

Housing minister James Browne's political reputation has been "seriously wounded" among colleagues after his pick to be the new housing tsar withdrew from consideration amid a coalition row.

Nama chief Brendan McDonagh had been Mr Browne's pick to lead the housing activation office, but told Mr Browne on Thursday that he would no longer like to be considered following a week of public scrutiny, opposition backlash, and coalition tension — particularly around the fact that Mr McDonagh would have retained his €430,000 a year salary to run the office.