New Fine Gael TD: I'm more experienced than Michael Noonan

Outspoken backbencher Peter Mathews also said advice given to the finance minister is “light on expertise”.

By Michael Freeman Sunday 7 Aug 2011, 4:43 PM

Aug 7th 2011, 4:43 PM 3,524 Views 35 Comments

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Peter Mathews says he has more business experience than the finance minister

Image: Eleanor Keegan/Photocall Ireland

Peter Mathews says he has more business experience than the finance minister

Image: Eleanor Keegan/Photocall Ireland

A FINE GAEL backbencher has claimed he has more business expertise than his party colleague, finance minister Michael Noonan.

Tax accountant Peter Mathews, who was elected in the Dublin South constituency in February this year, has been accused of breaking the party line after organising briefings for TDs from economic experts such as TCD’s Constantin Gurdgiev. However this week he hit back at the criticisms by saying that the advice Mr Noonan receives from officials is “very light in terms of banking expertise”, Sarah McInerney reports in the Sunday Times (subscription).

Mr Mathews said: “Michael Noonan is a great guy, but he just doesn’t have the experience I have. That’s not his fault, it’s just because I happened to work in the business for many years, so I have more experience.”

Read Sarah McInerney’s full story in the Sunday Times here (subscription) >

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New Fine Gael TD: I'm more experienced than Michael Noonan

Outspoken backbencher Peter Mathews also said advice given to the finance minister is “light on expertise”.