Minister of State (2011)
On 10 March 2011, he was appointed as Minister of State for Housing and Planning.
On 15 November 2011, he announced his resignation as Minister of State due to his opposition to the Government's decision to close the army barracks in Mullingar. Penrose said: "I understand and appreciate that significant efforts were made by my Labour colleagues in Government, who fully understood the depths of my feelings in this regard, to resolve this matter, but to no avail." Accepting the resignation - the first since the new government took office earlier this year - Tanáiste Eamon Gilmore commented, "It is with regret that I accept the resignation of Minister of State for Housing and Planning, Willie Penrose, Willie Penrose is a valued colleague, with a long and proud record of service to the Labour Party and to Longford/Westmeath". He also resigned the Labour parliamentary party whip.
Read more about this topic: Willie Penrose
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