13/10/2009
O'Donoghue To Address Daíl Over Expenses
The Ceann Comhairle is to address the Daíl today after announcing last week he was to stand down over his expenses controversy.
The House will then elect a new speaker, and speculation is following Seamus Kirk, chairman of the Fianna Fáil parliamentary party.
Mr O'Donoghue has been on the receiving end of continued criticism over his expenses claims, and said he would resign over the expenses he incurred both as a Minister and in his current position as speaker.
Mr O'Donoghue had initially enraged colleagues and the media by refusing to apologise when the excessive nature of his claims, which included limo journeys to the airport, trips to French horse racing meetings, and over €60,000 for domestic flights within Ireland all paid for by the taxpayer.
This afternoon, when the Dáil meets at 2.30pm Mr O'Donoghue will make a statement from the chair before resigning.
It is expected he will give his side of the expenses story, which he was unable to do last week because of his position.
The House will then adjourn briefly before electing a new Ceann Comhairle.
(DW/KMcA)
The House will then elect a new speaker, and speculation is following Seamus Kirk, chairman of the Fianna Fáil parliamentary party.
Mr O'Donoghue has been on the receiving end of continued criticism over his expenses claims, and said he would resign over the expenses he incurred both as a Minister and in his current position as speaker.
Mr O'Donoghue had initially enraged colleagues and the media by refusing to apologise when the excessive nature of his claims, which included limo journeys to the airport, trips to French horse racing meetings, and over €60,000 for domestic flights within Ireland all paid for by the taxpayer.
This afternoon, when the Dáil meets at 2.30pm Mr O'Donoghue will make a statement from the chair before resigning.
It is expected he will give his side of the expenses story, which he was unable to do last week because of his position.
The House will then adjourn briefly before electing a new Ceann Comhairle.
(DW/KMcA)
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16 September 2009
O'Donoghue Breaks Silence Over Expenses
Ceann Comhairle John O'Donoghue chose yesterday's race meeting in Listowel to break his silence on the controversy surrounding his expenses claims. Mr O'Donoghue expressed "regret" over the expenses he had claimed while Minister for Arts, Sports & Tourism at the race meeting, but stopped short of an unqualified apology.
O'Donoghue Breaks Silence Over Expenses
Ceann Comhairle John O'Donoghue chose yesterday's race meeting in Listowel to break his silence on the controversy surrounding his expenses claims. Mr O'Donoghue expressed "regret" over the expenses he had claimed while Minister for Arts, Sports & Tourism at the race meeting, but stopped short of an unqualified apology.
14 September 2009
Apology Call Over TD's Expenses
The leader of opposition party Fine Gael has called for a full apology from Ceann Comhairle John O'Donoghue over his official expenses. Speaking today, Enda Kenny asked for an apology from the Daíl chairman after Mr O'Donoghue published a letter he had sent to all Daíl TDs this morning defending his claims.
Apology Call Over TD's Expenses
The leader of opposition party Fine Gael has called for a full apology from Ceann Comhairle John O'Donoghue over his official expenses. Speaking today, Enda Kenny asked for an apology from the Daíl chairman after Mr O'Donoghue published a letter he had sent to all Daíl TDs this morning defending his claims.
23 September 2009
Warm Welcome At Open House
It's festival time up North as Belfast comes alive tonight and into the weekend at the Coors Light Open House Festival. Running until Sunday, 27th September, it is all happening around the city's arts & cultural flavoured Cathedral Quarter.
Warm Welcome At Open House
It's festival time up North as Belfast comes alive tonight and into the weekend at the Coors Light Open House Festival. Running until Sunday, 27th September, it is all happening around the city's arts & cultural flavoured Cathedral Quarter.
14 October 2009
O'Donoghue Says Resignation Is 'A Wrong'
The outgoing Ceann Comhairle has claimed his departure "was a wrong done to the office". In his resignation speech yesterday, the ousted speaker who has been forced to resign following a series of damning revelations over excessive expenses, said he had been denied "due process" by the threat of a motion of no confidence.
O'Donoghue Says Resignation Is 'A Wrong'
The outgoing Ceann Comhairle has claimed his departure "was a wrong done to the office". In his resignation speech yesterday, the ousted speaker who has been forced to resign following a series of damning revelations over excessive expenses, said he had been denied "due process" by the threat of a motion of no confidence.
07 October 2009
Ceann Comhairle Holds Out For 'Handshake'
The Ceann Comhairle has finally succumbed to pressure over his expenses and resigned, but now faces new criticism over his timing of the move. John O'Donoghue, the Daíl Chariman, has faced a barrage of criticism and pressure in recent weeks over the expenses he claimed while the was Minister for Sport and Tourism with Fianna Fail.
Ceann Comhairle Holds Out For 'Handshake'
The Ceann Comhairle has finally succumbed to pressure over his expenses and resigned, but now faces new criticism over his timing of the move. John O'Donoghue, the Daíl Chariman, has faced a barrage of criticism and pressure in recent weeks over the expenses he claimed while the was Minister for Sport and Tourism with Fianna Fail.
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Ireland WeatherToday:Showers today, occasional north and west of Lough Neagh, but only a few isolated light outbreaks expected for Belfast and county Down where the best of the winter sunshine is expected. West to northwest winds brisk around the coasts. Maximum temperature 10 °C.Tonight:Showers focused across northern areas of the Province, with most in the south staying dry, with a frost developing for many here. Northwest winds fresh around the coasts. Minimum temperature 0 °C.