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FAI ‘routinely offer’ free tickets to government officials

Ireland’s finance minister Paschal Donohoe (pictured) said he is “routinely offered” tickets by the Football Association of Ireland (FAI).

According to the Irish Sun newspaper, Donohoe said he has continued to receive free tickets to football matches since his move from sports minister to his current governmental post.

This week it was also uncovered that defence minister Paul Kehoe’s office was given 12 free premium level tickets for an international match against Austria by the FAI to cater to an Austrian delegation visiting Dublin.

In a response to a parliamentary question, Donohoe said: “On occasion a member of staff has accompanied me to such events.

“As a matter of course, my diary is published on my Department’s website and contains details of all my engagements, including any events attended.”

A spokesperson for transport, tourism and sport minister Shane Ross told the Irish Sun all sports ministers in their official capacity get tickets to international matches.

In addition, social protection minister Regina Doherty told the newspaper she “received two tickets from the FAI to attend the Ireland vs Denmark game in the Aviva on 14 November”.

The minister’s spokeswoman added: “She has never contacted John Delaney for tickets.”

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