Minister Eamon Ryan has said he hopes that recent events concerning members of the cabinet will “not impact the good work happening right across government”.
The Minister for Climate Action was speaking in relation to the announcement today (Friday, August 21) that Dara Calleary resigned from the position of Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine.
Calleary attended an Oireachtas Golf Society event this week with more than 80 people, in breach of the latest public health guidelines.
Also Read: Calleary: ‘I should have had the cop-on not to have gone’ to golf society eventMinister Ryan said that while “the event should not have taken place” and was a “clear breach of the Covid-19 regulations”, he thinks that Calleary “has done the right thing”.
His statement continued:
“The measures that have been put in place this week have been difficult for us all.
“Cabinet ministers who participate in making decisions that impact people like this have a duty more than anyone else to stick to the regulations.
He made a mistake, he apologised and now he has resigned. I hope this will not impact the good work happening right now across government.
“There is no doubt that this has been a difficult few months. We are living through unprecedented times; so many families have lost loved ones and many more have made huge sacrifices.”
Gardaí Investigating The Event
Gardaí are investigating the Oireachtas Golf Society event. In a brief statement, Gardaí said:
“An Garda Síochána is investigating an event that was held in Co. Galway on August 19, 2020, into alleged breaches of the Health Act 1947 [Section 31A-Temporary Restrictions] [Covid-19] [No.3] Regulations 2020, as amended.
“As this is an active investigation, An Garda Síochána has no further comment,” the statement added.