MINISTER FOR Finance Michael Noonan has sold the German government bonds which he held last year, according to the Register of Interests of Members of Dáil Éireann.
The current register which covers the calendar year 2011 shows Mr Noonan sold his German shares only a few days after his previous declaration was reported in the media last April.
The Minister also declared that he has formally surrendered his reduced teacher’s pension; that 20 acres of “woodland and farmland” attached to his home in Co Limerick are let, and that he accepted an “upgrade one-way” on an Aer Lingus transatlantic flight.
However, Independent TD for Dublin South Shane Ross continues to have faith in continental enterprise, listing two holdings of German government bonds and one with the French government.
Minister for the Environment Phil Hogan does not list his much-publicised apartment in Portugal but he is not required to declare the possession of a holiday home for personal use.
Taoiseach Enda Kenny holds no shares, but in addition to his family home he has a constituency office “with overhead apartment” in Castlebar; an apartment in central Dublin, which is his city residence; and six acres of farmland at Raheens, Co Mayo.
Minister for Health James Reilly has declared that his medical practice at Lusk, Co Dublin, was transferred to another GP last year. His property portfolio includes an 86-acre farm, which is let for tillage; a quarter-share in a nursing home for the elderly in Carrick-on-Suir, which is transferred to a blind trust; and a “derelict ruin” at Balrothery, Co Dublin.
Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin lists, under “land”, an administrative office for his constituency secretary at Turner’s Cross, Cork, which was “purchased with a mortgage from AIB, Douglas Road, Cork”.
Ceann Comhairle of the Dáil Seán Barrett has a variety of shareholdings in the Channel Islands.
Sinn Féin leader Gerry Adams is the joint owner, with his wife, of a house at Gortahork, Co Donegal, which is “used exclusively by my family”.
Tánaiste and Labour Party leader Eamon Gilmore jointly owns 37 acres of family farmland with a brother of his at Ballinasloe, Co Galway, which is let.
Minister for Justice Alan Shatter has a range of property holdings in Dublin, Florida and London. Minister for Jobs Richard Bruton has shares in AIB, Bank of Ireland and Irish Life Permanent.
Kerry South Independent Michael Healy-Rae lists the following under “Contracts”: (1) Supply of fuel: Mace Filling Station: Kerry County Council; (2) Grass cutting: Roughty Plant Hire: Kerry County Council; (3) Grass cutting: Roughty Plant Hire: Killarney Town Council.
Fianna Fáil TD Willie O’Dea has mining shares in Ireland and Canada, as well as Botswana Diamonds, with an address in Clontarf, Dublin.
Labour TD Willie Penrose lists a “small share in investment properties at Kent, Croydon and Wigan in England and at The Hague, Holland, and Estonia: investment lettings – with some areas to be let and the lettings and values are obviously subject to the economic environment”.
Separately, the Standards in Public Office Commission has published figures that show that TDs, Senators and MEPs disclosed donations with a total value of €378,920 for 2011.
The donations included money and use of property or services. Only donations valued or aggregated at more than €634.87 are required to be disclosed.
Of this, €179,628.65 was disclosed by current Senators who were unsuccessful candidates at the Dáil general election or by Oireachtas candidates in the presidential election in 2011 (President Michael D Higgins and Senator David Norris).
