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16/09/2009
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.
Speaking at today's race meeting in Listowel, Mr O'Donoghue reiterated his regret at the high level of expenses incurred by him.
He said: "I regret this, but I've also explained that these were costs paid to service providers on my behalf."
However, he added all the claims were independently audited, in accordance with Department of Finance guidelines and were legitimate.
He said the money was paid to service providers on his behalf and that he had not profited from it, adding that he had not gone into public life to make a profit.
"[I have] behaved in good faith and with probity throughout," he said.
Asked about whether he should make an apology, Mr O'Donoghue, the Daíl chairman, said "in so far as one regrets something, I think that is an apology".
Earlier this week, Mr O'Donoghue said he had stayed silent on the subject to protect the impartiality of his position of Ceann Comhairle.
The claims included details of €900-a-night hotels, a €1,400-a-day chauffeurs during a five-day trip to Cheltenham, and a claim for €250 for a water taxi in Venice.
In a letter to TDs on Monday, explaining his claims, Mr O'Donoghue said: "The importance of having an impartial Chairman of Dáil Éireann who stands back from matters of public and party controversy is reflected in the Constitution itself.
"I want to reassure you that I have at all times acted in good faith and with probity. As Members who have been office holders will be aware the incurring of costs by Ministers and office holders is a standard and common feature of holding such offices."
The leader of opposition party Fine Gael, Enda Kenny, called for a full apology from Ceann Comhairle over the matter.
(DW/GK)
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.
Speaking at today's race meeting in Listowel, Mr O'Donoghue reiterated his regret at the high level of expenses incurred by him.
He said: "I regret this, but I've also explained that these were costs paid to service providers on my behalf."
However, he added all the claims were independently audited, in accordance with Department of Finance guidelines and were legitimate.
He said the money was paid to service providers on his behalf and that he had not profited from it, adding that he had not gone into public life to make a profit.
"[I have] behaved in good faith and with probity throughout," he said.
Asked about whether he should make an apology, Mr O'Donoghue, the Daíl chairman, said "in so far as one regrets something, I think that is an apology".
Earlier this week, Mr O'Donoghue said he had stayed silent on the subject to protect the impartiality of his position of Ceann Comhairle.
The claims included details of €900-a-night hotels, a €1,400-a-day chauffeurs during a five-day trip to Cheltenham, and a claim for €250 for a water taxi in Venice.
In a letter to TDs on Monday, explaining his claims, Mr O'Donoghue said: "The importance of having an impartial Chairman of Dáil Éireann who stands back from matters of public and party controversy is reflected in the Constitution itself.
"I want to reassure you that I have at all times acted in good faith and with probity. As Members who have been office holders will be aware the incurring of costs by Ministers and office holders is a standard and common feature of holding such offices."
The leader of opposition party Fine Gael, Enda Kenny, called for a full apology from Ceann Comhairle over the matter.
(DW/GK)
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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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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Ireland WeatherToday:A sunny but frosty start for many. However cloud increases by midday with a few showers reaching the north coast, these mostly light but spreading inland this afternoon. Chilly. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:A rather cloudy evening with scattered showers. Becoming drier through the night with some good clear spells developing and a patchy frost away from coasts. Minimum temperature 0 °C.
