Fine Gael's Damien English has resigned his position as a Junior Minister.

It follows revelations about false information he gave to Meath County Council in a planning application.

To get permission for one-off rural housing in Co Meath you have to be a local, show you don't have a home and thus have a housing need.

In 2008, Damien English submitted a planning application for his family home but didn't tell the council he already owned a property.

Unacceptable

The revelations were published by The Ditch website on Wednesday.

In a series of tweets this morning, Deputy English said he had reviewed the application, that it was wrong and isn't something which is acceptable.

He said he had informed the Taoiseach, who agreed that his position was untenable and accepted his resignation.

I have informed the Taoiseach last night of my decision to resign as Minister of State at the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment.

Yesterday in an online article, questions were raised about my planning application from 14 years ago. I reviewed this application,

— Damien English TD (@Damien_English) January 12, 2023

“This was wrong, not up to the standard required and I apologise for doing so,” he tweeted. 

“I would like to thank the people of Meath West for their ongoing support as their TD.  I will continue to serve them and work hard on their behalf in the constituency.

“I thank the Taoiseach and parliamentary colleagues for their support during my time as Minister of State. I will continue to support the Taoiseach and colleagues in Government as they continue to deliver on the programme for Government.”

Junior minister

Deputy English spent four years as a Junior Minister in the Department of Housing before, more recently, serving in Enterprise as Junior Minister to Leo Varadkar.

After the recent changeover, he was appointed Minister of State at the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment.

He intends to continue serving as a Fine Gael TD.

With reporting from Seán Defoe.

Main image: Damien English. Image: Leah Farrell / RollingNews.ie