Michael Lowry

Michael Lowry (Irish Mícheál Ó Labhradha, born March 13, 1954 at the County Tipperary ) is an Irish politician of the Fine Gael since 1997 an independent delegate ( Teachta Dala ) in the lower house ( Dáil Éireann ).

Biography

Lowry, who was working as managers of companies began his national political career as a candidate of the Fine Gael in 1987 with the election of deputies of the lower house, where he has since been the constituency of Tipperary North represents five elections.

On December 15, 1994, he was appointed after the election victory of the Fine Gael Taoiseach (Prime Minister ) John Bruton as Minister for Transport, Energy and Communications. During his tenure, however, there were some scandals in which he was accused of receiving bribes also. Specifically, he was accused that his house was expanded consuming in Tipperary with funds from the supermarket chain Dunnes Stores. There were controversies because of licensing to the telecommunications company BT Ireland, the plans for the Dublin Light Rail System and the closure of many rural post offices. These accusations led to Lowry 30 November 1996 resigned from his post as minister.

After Prime Minister Bruton announced that Lowry would not re- established by the Fine Gael for a mandate in the 1997 General Election, he resigned from the party and has since been elected as a non-party to the members of the Dáil.

In the following years there were further investigation for tax evasion against him and the former Prime Minister and Chairman of Fianna Fáil, Charles J. Haughey, by the so-called Moriarty Tribunal. It was found that the company Garuda founded by him, he would pay even 220,000 euros tax liabilities and € 1.2 million. These payments were made. The committee of inquiry goes further, however, even 15 years after his resignation. Lowry now hopes that this is set after the change of government.