Junior Minister Niall Collins states that he acted correctly in connection with a planning application over two decades ago.
He disputes allegations made by The Ditch concerning the application.
Online publication The Ditch reported that the Fianna Fáil TD applied for planning permission for a home in Limerick in 2001.
In a statement late on Monday evening, Mr Collins, who is a Minister of State in the Department of Further and Higher Education, insisted that he had acted correctly in his application and was seeking legal advice.
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He said: “In 2001 I applied to Limerick County Council for planning permission, in my own name, on lands owned by my father in Patrickswell Co. Limerick.
“At that time I met the requirements for planning permission in the area – known as the ‘pressure area’. Separately the property I owned on the Fr. Russell Road in Dooradoyle Limerick was not in the ‘pressure area’.
“In 2004 I was elected Cllr to Limerick County Council and thereafter the Council introduced a new planning policy in relation to housing need.
“Tomorrow I will request a copy of my planning application of 2001 from the Council but I am satisfied that at all times I have acted correctly in my planning application and in my instruction to a planning agent in relation to the application on my behalf.
“The false statements made about me by The Ditch website are currently being examined by my legal advisors.”
Speaking on Morning Ireland, Enterprise Minister Simon Coveney said he had read Mr Collins’ statement and that he believed the Fianna Fáil TD when he said he had done nothing wrong.
Fine Gael TD Damien English was forced to resign his role as a Junior Minister in January when it emerged he had not declared a home on a planning application.
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