TDs declare portfolios in latest Register of Interests

The latest Register of Interests for TDs lodged in the Houses of the Oireachtas Library shows that the majority of them do not…

The latest Register of Interests for TDs lodged in the Houses of the Oireachtas Library shows that the majority of them do not have any share portfolio.

The Taoiseach, Mr Ahern, has declared honorary membership of three Dublin golf clubs, the Grange, Elm Park and Portmarnock, though he wrote: "I will not realise any material benefit from these as I do not play golf." Meanwhile, he accepted return flights to Cardiff for last year's European Rugby Cup Final on a private aircraft from DCD Limited, St Helen's Wood, Booterstown, Co Dublin.

However, a payment of €1,480 was later refunded to the donor in accordance with government guidelines drafted under Section 15 (4) of the 1995 Ethics in Public Office Act.

The former Taoiseach, Mr Bruton, has declared a 220-acre farm in Summerhill, Co. Meath, and a half-share in an 114-acre farm at Woodtown, Drumree, Co Meath.

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In addition, Mr Bruton declared that he had received unspecified payments for speaking engagements, including some hosted by the London Speaker Bureau, the Royal Institute of International Affairs, the Catholic University of America and law firm Baker McKenzie.

His brother, Fine Gael Dublin North Central TD Mr Richard Bruton, has declared shareholdings in AIB, Bank of Ireland, Anglo Irish Bank and Jefferson Smurfit.

He also has a non-executive directorship in Exsell Auctions, an Internet company in Dublin, along with 225 acres in two farms in Dunboyne and Drumree, Co Meath.

The Fine Gael Leader, Mr Enda Kenny, has declared the ownership of a six-acre field in Struan, Raheens, Castlebar, Co Mayo, which was bought by his family six years ago.

Fianna Fáil Dublin South West TD Mr Conor Lenihan declared that he had quit as corporate advisor for a number of companies, including O2 and, Photologicduring the course of 2002.

The Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform, Mr McDowell, has declared interests in a number of Dublin properties, including a house in Manders Terrace, Dublin 6, an undeveloped site in the same area and a 10 per cent interest in an office block in the Eastpoint Office Park.

Minister of State for Health and Children, Mr Ivor Callely, owns shares in a company called Oak Finance and a house in St David's House in Artane, which is let out.

Westmeath TD, Mr Donie Cassidy, has one of the biggest portfolios, which includes shares in Castle Music Exports: the Nassau Street record store, Celtic Note; Asdee Music, the London-based music publisher; Crestchart Ltd, Cavendish Row, Parnell Square and several investment firms; Wentridge Investments; Belvedere Hills Limited; a property development company, Walkers Belverdere Hotel; plus the World of Wax and Coulthard Limited.

In addition, Mr Cassidy owns property in Dublin in Cavendish Row, Molesworth Street, Gardiner Row and Great Denmark Street. He also owns property in Oliver Plunkett Street, Mullingar, Co Westmeath, and land at Ballinderry, Mullingar.

The Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources, Mr Dermot Ahern, has declared interests in a legal practice, an apartment and office premises in Dundalk.

Dublin South Central TD Mr Sean Ardagh's entry includes apartments in Milltown and Walkinstown in Dublin, along with offices in Willow Business Park and a vacant apartment in Budapest in Hungary.

Minister of State Mr Michael Ahern has declared an unspecified number of shares in a Luxembourg-based telecoms firm, Kast Telecom Europe.

Dublin South West Fianna Fáil TD Mr John Curran receives income from a property in the Taurus Business Centre, Greenhills Road, Tallaght. He is also a director of Audio Visual Design Limited.

Besides being a director of a variety of community projects in his home area, Fine Gael Kerry South TD Mr Jimmy Deenihan also owns 27 acres of land in Finuge, Lixnaw, Co Kerry.

The newly-elected Fianna Fáil Wexford TD, Mr Tony Dempsey, declared shareholdings in two exploration firms, Providence and Arcom, along with 651 shares in Eircom.

He holds a number of directorships in companies in Wexford, and also owns a number of sites in the county, plus a two-bed house in Dublin, and has a deposit on a holiday home in Cyprus.