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14/10/2009
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.
Mr O'Donoghue came under fire after a litany of luxurious living expenses and excesses emerged totalling nearly €250,000 that were billed to the taxpayer.
Some of the excesses included €6,000 trips to France for short nonessential business meetings that coincided with horse racing meetings in France; 174 internal flights from Dublin to Kerry; 44 internal flights by his wife; Huge hotel room and bar bills; Limos on 24-hour standby at the races; Local newspaper advertising for his clinics; Garda escorts from Dublin to Kerry to pick him up from the airport; and even donations to charity billed to the taxpayer.
Mr O'Donoghue offered no apology during his speech and instead said many of these bills had been "distorted and exaggerated beyond the bounds of fairness" and that they "were used to create an ugly, grasping, black caricature of the man I am".
"This was a wrong done to the office of. That it should have been perpetrated from the floor of this House bodes ill for the body politic," he warned.
Mr O'Donoghue added: "I want to emphasise the following - travel, accommodation and related costs were all incurred on or in connection with official duties. Such arrangements were made in accordance with established Department of Finance guidelines and practices."
(DW/BMcc)
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.
Mr O'Donoghue came under fire after a litany of luxurious living expenses and excesses emerged totalling nearly €250,000 that were billed to the taxpayer.
Some of the excesses included €6,000 trips to France for short nonessential business meetings that coincided with horse racing meetings in France; 174 internal flights from Dublin to Kerry; 44 internal flights by his wife; Huge hotel room and bar bills; Limos on 24-hour standby at the races; Local newspaper advertising for his clinics; Garda escorts from Dublin to Kerry to pick him up from the airport; and even donations to charity billed to the taxpayer.
Mr O'Donoghue offered no apology during his speech and instead said many of these bills had been "distorted and exaggerated beyond the bounds of fairness" and that they "were used to create an ugly, grasping, black caricature of the man I am".
"This was a wrong done to the office of. That it should have been perpetrated from the floor of this House bodes ill for the body politic," he warned.
Mr O'Donoghue added: "I want to emphasise the following - travel, accommodation and related costs were all incurred on or in connection with official duties. Such arrangements were made in accordance with established Department of Finance guidelines and practices."
(DW/BMcc)
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13 October 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.
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.
08 October 2009
O'Donoghue To Get €112,000 Payoff
Despite resigning in a blaze of controversy, Ceann Comhairle John O'Donoghue is to claim €112,500 after being forced out of his position. The ousted Speaker of the Dail will be eligible for a salary of €100,000 for serving as a backbench TD and will also be able to claim an annual ministerial pension of around €25,000.
O'Donoghue To Get €112,000 Payoff
Despite resigning in a blaze of controversy, Ceann Comhairle John O'Donoghue is to claim €112,500 after being forced out of his position. The ousted Speaker of the Dail will be eligible for a salary of €100,000 for serving as a backbench TD and will also be able to claim an annual ministerial pension of around €25,000.
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.
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.
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