As is the way with most things in this country, if you don't laugh, you'll cry.
After 10 days of controversy surrounding his undeclared property interests, Fianna Fáil TD Robert Troy has resigned from his role as Minister of State at the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment.
Troy
apologised this week for failing to disclose on the Dáil register several of his property and business interests, including ownership or part ownership of 11 properties, nine of which are rented and six of which he receives States payments for.
However, as you may have seen in his late-night statement following his resignation last night, he "will not apologise for being a landlord".
His statement reads:
While I accept my mistakes, I would like to state that the narrative being put forward by some media and some in the opposition that landlords are villains is simply wrong. I am acutely aware of the sensitives of the housing situation in Ireland, and on a continuous basis work to assist constituents address their housing needs – but vilifying landlords is not the answer, and it will not help the problem.
I personally will not apologise for being a landlord. I bought my first house at the age of 20 as I went straight into a job after school, so I was in a position to purchase my first property then. I am not a person of privilege and I have not been brought up with a silver spoon in my mouth, I have worked for all I have.
Robert Troy's seeking of
tax breaks for landlords who rent property to local authorities, and calls upon the housing minister to support landlords seeking to evict tenants during the pandemic is garnering justified outrage from the people of Ireland. Troy's claim that he "worked for all I have" and "was not brought up with a sliver spoon" in the midst of a housing crisis where many others have worked all their lives with little to no hope of owning one home, is more than tone deaf.
... But if you're looking for a bit of light relief, here are some of our favourite tweets in response to the scandal.
https://twitter.com/JohnMoynes/status/1562413141526515712?s=20&t=Qm1brSvhUR6HYKKheKnd0w
Irish barmen, never not on the beat.
https://twitter.com/alan_maguire/status/1562172995371778054?s=20&t=Qm1brSvhUR6HYKKheKnd0w
Constant vigilance required.
https://twitter.com/amyohconnor/status/1562535680060047361?s=20&t=Qm1brSvhUR6HYKKheKnd0w
A quiet, humble life.
https://twitter.com/RuairiPower_/status/1562064828709085184?s=20&t=Qm1brSvhUR6HYKKheKnd0w
An easy mistake, in fairness.
https://twitter.com/FancyVegasPro/status/1562490861228699650?s=20&t=Qm1brSvhUR6HYKKheKnd0w
Spartacus found quaking.
https://twitter.com/jaseomcn/status/1562049745933242368?s=20&t=Qm1brSvhUR6HYKKheKnd0w
The old age proverb.
https://twitter.com/KateOShea98/status/1562344989971124224?s=20&t=Qm1brSvhUR6HYKKheKnd0w
Fair enough, when you break it down.
https://twitter.com/NicLiamo/status/1562510556166516738?s=20&t=Qm1brSvhUR6HYKKheKnd0w
We've all been there.
https://twitter.com/notthertenews/status/1562077196264411141?s=20&t=Qm1brSvhUR6HYKKheKnd0w
Get it right, Gabriella.
https://twitter.com/stephendevine89/status/1562541175721979906?s=20&t=Qm1brSvhUR6HYKKheKnd0w
We eagerly await the Spotify release.
Header image via Facebook/Robert Troy TD
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