Fine Gael TD Dara Murphy has officially resigned his seat in Dáil Éireann.

It emerged in recent weeks that Mr Murphy claimed his full expenses despite being largely absent from the Dáil over the past two years.

Since taking up a role as the European People Party's campaign director in September 2017, he has continued to draw his full Dáil salary of more than €94,000 a year, as well as more than €50,000 worth of annual allowances.

Figures released by the Houses of the Oireachtas show that he only attended 24 out of 70 sitting days in the Dáil between January and September - the lowest number of any TD.

CONFIRMED: Dara Murphy has resigned as a TD with immediate effect. His last act was to vote confidence in Eoghan Murphy last night

— Seán Defoe (@SeanDefoe) December 4, 2019

In a statement this morning, he confirmed that he has now taken up a new full-time role with the European Commission.

“Last night, on Tuesday the 3rd of December, I met with the Acting Ceann Comhairle and gave him a letter informing him of my decision to resign my seat in Dáil Éireann,” he said.

“I also met the Taoiseach Leo Varadkar last night and spoke to him about my decision. I will commence a new position in the European Commission today.

He said he will “co-operate with any relevant statutory procedure that may be initiated” over the expenses scandal.

“I would like to acknowledge and give thanks for the support I have received from so many people: the Taoiseach and the Fine Gael Party, at local and national level; my family; and most importantly I would like to thank the people of Cork North Central.”

Mr Murphy has previous insisted that he complied with Dáil rules at all times regarding his attendance.