Fianna Fáil TD for Clare Cathal Crowe has rejected details in an online article that he owns two homes, as reported by The Ditch.
Speaking at a press event in Shannon yesterday to announce capital investment in regional airports, Mr Crowe told Nuacht that he does not own two homes.
"I have one house and I have a farm in Cnoc an Chraobhaigh in south Co Clare," he said.
"I have a farm there with livestock on it and I’m applying for planning to build a house there.
"I have no other home. My uncle has a house, however that house carries an exclusive residency clause.
"I have no key to that house. Under planning regulations people in rural areas may build on a farm and that’s what I’m trying to do.
"I have nothing further to say."
When asked if The Ditch article was incorrect, he declined to answer.
Mr Crowe was also asked why he used the Irish version of his name on an application for planning permission last year instead of his legal name.
Mr Crowe defended his use of his surname Mac Concradha in the application dated 12 July 2022, saying he is fully entitled to do so "as an Irish speaker, a frequent contributor to interviews in Irish, as a recently joined up member of Conradh na Gaeilge" and Article 8 of the Constitution.
When pressed as to why he did not use Cathal Crowe in the application as he would have on his bank account, election posters and the ballot paper, Mr Crowe said that it is not for reporters to assume what name he uses on his bank account.
He iterated his use of his Irish name and his frequent use of Irish in public business.
