The Chairperson of the Gay and Lesbian Equality Network has announced his resignation.

Kieran Rose says he regrets that financial arrangements made between him and GLEN are contributing to controversy surrounding the body as it faces a review by the Charities Regulator.

Announcing his resignation, Mr Rose said support of approximately €11,500 euro was provided to him in his unsuccessful run for the Seanad last year - which he says was repaid in full.

 “It is with regret that I am tendering my resignation today from the Board to the Chairperson,” Mr Rose said in a statement. 

“Last year, I sought to secure a seat in Seanad Éireann and part of my programme was to continue to seek further progress on equality including for LGBT people.”

He said the GLEN executive provided him with “temporary supports” equating to €11,500 during the campaign.

He voiced his regret that the payments contributed to recent controversy – but admitted he should have ensured that the board of GLEN was aware of the arrangement.

“At no point was there any reason on my part not to disclose this and any breach of regulations that may have occurred was completely inadvertent,” he said.

He said he tended his resignation to the board in December 2016 after he realised, “with the benefit of hindsight, that I should have ensured they were aware of the temporary support at the time.”

He said the board, while accepting his resignation as co-chair, had asked him to stay on as a member “given my vital contribution to GLEN over several decades.”

“I was happy to remain on the board to continue to serve the organisation until today,” he said.

“I regret that this issue has occurred and is causing a distraction from the important work of GLEN and the other issues that are concerning it at present. 

I wish the GLEN Board and staff all the best in this vital work.

In a statement, GLEN said it had accepted Mr Rose’s resignation with regret.