Controversial TD Dara Murphy steps down

Controversial TD Dara Murphy has resigned his seat following criticism over his Dail attendance.

The announcement comes just over 12 hours since the TD for Cork North Central voted confidence in Housing Minster Eoghan Murphy, which the Government won by just three votes.

Mr Murphy’s resignation was was announced in the Dáil this morning by Leas-Cheann Comhairle Pat ‘the Cope’ Gallagher.

He has said he will co-operate with any inquiry into his claiming of allowances for the past two years, despite being largely absent from the Dáil.

Mr Murphy will now take up a new role as member of the cabinet of Bulgaria’s EU Commissioner Mariya Gabriel.

While a TD, Mr Murphy also held a separate Brussels-based job with the European People’s Party, the EU political grouping that Fine Gael is aligned with.

Mr Murphy announced in May last year that he would not contest the next general election.

He was elected to the Dáil in 2011 and previously served as Lord Mayor of the Cork.

Mr Murphy was appointed Minister of State for European Affairs by former taoiseach Enda Kenny in 2014.