Independent TD Michael Healy-Rae has been removed from the board of a State agency days after he agreed to pay the “Ring of Kerry” telephone bill run up at Leinster House.
Independent TD Michael Healy-Rae has been removed from the board of a State agency days after he agreed to pay the “Ring of Kerry” telephone bill run up at Leinster House.
Minister for Social Protection Joan Burton wrote to the Kerry South TD terminating his post at the Citizens’ Information Board (CIB).
A spokeswoman for the Minister said Mr Healy-Rae’s removal was over a conflict of interests and it was coincidental it happened in the wake of a €2,639 telephone bill which helped secure his victory on a reality TV show.
Mr Healy-Rae who last week agreed to pay the phone bill, declined to comment on his removal from the board.
The Citizens’ Information Board is an advisory body to the Minister and provides her department with information and assistance in relation to the development of social policies and services.
As a TD, Mr Healy-Rae would be able to vote on measures which are brought to the Government and which may affect or influence the functions of the CIB. “This is a conflict of interests,” the spokeswoman said.
The Social Welfare and Pensions Act, enacted last week, outlines that from July 1s no elected representative - at local, national or European level - can sit on the Citizens’ Information Board or be on its staff.
Ms Bruton wrote to Mr Healy-Rae twice in recent weeks requesting he resign from its board.
The third letter terminating his position - worth €5,985 a year in addition to his Dail salary of about €92,000 - was sent to him on Friday.
Ms Burton enacted the terms of the Comhairle Act 2000, which gives the Minister power to remove people from State boards.
PA