Fine Gael deputy leader Simon Coveney has refused to say whether he is still in contact with former deputy planning chief Paul Hyde following his jail sentence.
Mr Hyde, a former deputy chair of An Bord Pleanála, was sentenced to two months in jail last month for breaches of planning laws.
In March, he was charged with nine counts of making false or misleading declarations of interest to An Bord Pleanála between 2014 and 2022.
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He resigned from his role last July following controversy over his conduct in the role.
Mr Hyde is a friend of Minister Coveney, who appointed him to the board of the Marine Institute in 2012.
Speaking on Wednesday, Mr Coveney said that he played no role in Mr Hyde being appointed to An Bord Pleanála.
Asked if he was still in contact with Mr Hyde, the Cork South-Central TD said that was a “private matter”.
“I appointed him to the Marine Institute. He worked very well on the board of the Marine Institute. So I don't have regrets about and obviously the issues in relation to An Bord Pleanála are a matter for Paul Hyde and he of course has to be accountable for that.”
Quizzed again on whether he still spoke to Mr Hyde, Minister Coveney declined to answer.
“That's a private matter. I know Paul had for many years but I've had no involvement in the issues in relation to An Bord Pleanála or obviously the court case.
“That's a private matter.”
Plans were announced by Housing Minister Darragh O’Brien to overhaul An Bord Pleanála following several allegations of conflicts of interests regarding previous planning applications.
