Willie Penrose resigns as Minister of State, says he's no longer taking Labour whip

[David Cochrane]

Statement just in from Willie Penrose TD where he says he's tendered his resignation as Minister of State over the closure of Columb Barracks. Penrose also says he will no longer be taking the Labour whip in the Dáil, effectively meaning he's also resigned from the Labour parliamentary party.

It was with regret that I tendered my resignation as Minister of State at the Dept of the Environment today.

Over recent weeks and months, I had made my clear my unstinting opposition to proposals to close Columb Barracks in Mullingar, so arising from a decision that was made at cabinet today, I had no alternative but to take this course of action.

I fully appreciate that difficult decisions have to be made by the Govt if we are to get out of the economic mess in which we have found ourselves, but I was not prepared to stand over a decision that was not backed up by the facts and figures.

In the context of collective cabinet responsibility, and given my vociferous opposition to this proposal, I could not continue in Govt, and so have tendered my resignation to the Tanaiste, the Taoiseach and the Labour Whip.

I understand and appreciate that significant efforts were made by my Labour colleagues in Govt, who fully understood the depths of my feelings in this regard, to resolve this matter, but to no avail.

While I will no longer hold the Labour whip, I will continue to serve the people of Longford Westmeath as an active and vocal public representative.

And a statement by means of response by Tanaiste and Labour leader Eamon Gilmore

TÁNAISTE ACCEPTS MINISTER PENROSE’S RESIGNATION WITH REGRET

It is with regret that I accept the resignation of Minister of State for Housing and Planning, Willie Penrose.
Earlier today, Minister Penrose made it clear to me in a conversation that he would not support a Government proposal to close a number of army barracks, including Columb Barracks in Mullingar.


As a result, I had no choice but to accept his resignation as Minister of State.


Willie Penrose is a valued colleague, with a long and proud record of service to the Labour Party and to Longford/Westmeath.


During his time as Minister of State at the Department of Environment, Community and Local Government, Willie Penrose had begun critical work in the areas of social housing and in tackling ghost estates. It will continue to be a priority for Labour in Government to provide decent homes and communities for those who need them.


This Government was elected to get Ireland on the road to national recovery, and that requires us to take tough decisions on public spending this year, and in the years ahead. We have to close the gap in our public finances and we are determined to prioritise current spending in the fairest way possible.


Public services, including the Defence Forces, have to be re-organised, reformed and rationalised. None of this is easy. I understand how difficult some of these decisions are at local level. Ministers of Government, in particular, have a responsibility to support and defend difficult Government decisions on these matters.

[drjimryan2]

Those who are in government

those who can govern

[james carlisle]

So. Who will labour promote to the big boy's table? Roisin, Jan, Sean Sherlock? And who will then get the vacant junior post? Alex W, Dominic Hannigan??

[enby]

Full marks to Gilmore and Kenny for standing up to this clientalist nonsense. It was a crucial test for their credibility

[Islandeady]

Talking about throwing the toys out of the pram in a vain attempt to keep his seat at the next election. Gombeen poltician!

[Social Conscience]

Local parish pump politics at it's very best - no loss at all.

[Boggle]

Full marks to Gilmore and Kenny for standing up to this clientist nonsense. It was a crucial test for their credibility

If they committed to keeping it open and broke their words then shame on them. If not but he did then fair play to him.

Politicians have to start keeping their word or this country will end up in flames.

[jacko]

super junior - Kelly or Sherlock?

new housing junior - Ciaran Lynch?

[Bren Boru]

Idiot. If every minister resigned over cuts in their constituency, we wouldn't have a cabinet.
This is NIMBY, FF politics by a Labour TD. He should know better.

[Bren Boru]

If they committed to keeping it open and broke their words then shame on them. If not but he did then fair play to him.

Politicians have to start keeping their word or this country will end up in flames.

I disagree. You govern with actions, not promises.