Fine Gael TD, for Meath West, Damien English has sensationally resigned his role as Minister of State at the  Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment.

His bombshell letter of resignation was forwarded to Taoiseach Leo Varadkar after online website The Ditch revealed that when English applied for planning permission for his current home at Cookstown between Athboy and Kells in 2008 he neglected to disclose the fact that he already owned a house at Castlemartin in Martry.

In a statement on Twitter, English said “Yesterday in an online article, questions were raised about my planning application from 14 years ago. I reviewed this application, made in 2008, and it is clear to me that I failed to inform Meath County Council about ownership of my house in Castlemartin,” he said in a statement.

“This was wrong, not up to the standard required and I apologise for doing so.

“I would like to thank the people of Meath West for their ongoing support as their TD. I will continue to serve them and work hard on their behalf in the constituency.

“I thank the Taoiseach and parliamentary colleagues for their support during my time as Minister of State. I will continue to support the Taoiseach and colleagues in Government as they continue to deliver on the programme for Government.