Minister Cowen Caught Speeding On Learner Permit Before Drink-Driving Offence

Tuesday, 7 July 2020 07:11

He'll make a statement to the Dáil today, resumes its normal schedule for the first time this year.

The Dáil resumes its normal schedule today for the first time this year.

It's first full day back will see Agriculture Minister Barry Cowen make a statement on his drink driving ban from 2016.

It was December when the Dáil last had a full sitting week and this afternoon Micheál Martin will take his first session of Taoiseach's Questions.

That's somewhat overshadowed by the statement Agriculture Minister Barry Cowen will make on his three month ban from driving, scheduled to take place around 8.40pm.

However, opposition parties won't be allowed to put questions to the Minister under the parliamentary procedure allowing the statement.

A number of cabinet members yesterday said they were happy with Minister Cowen's explanation and apology for his drink driving offence, and he looks unlikely to face any sanction for it.

Though opposition parties have a number of questions they would like raised, including why Mr Cowen was still on a provisional licence at the time.

Meanwhile,

It's also emerged Minister Barry Cowen was fined €200 for speeding on his learner driver licence three months before his drink-driving ban.

The Irish Independent reports he appeared in court in June 2016 after being caught breaking the speed limit at Palmerstown in Dublin.

Political Editor with Independent Newspapers Phillip Ryan says its an unwelcome development for Fianna Fail.

Sinn Féin has Dáil private members time for the first time as the lead opposition party, and will use it on a motion about affordable housing.

The programme for government aims to add 50,000 new social homes, but Sinn Fein wants that increased to 100,000.

The party's housing spokesman Eoin Ó Broin says it's not clear how government intends to deliver on its promises:

This evening also sees the starting gun properly fired in the Green Party leadership race.

Eamon Ryan and Catherine Martin will take part in a two hour online hustings - the first time they'll have a chance to set out their case for leading the Green Party through its time in government.