Gilmore calls for meeting of party leaders to discuss JOD's expenses

[David Cochrane]

Didn't take long for the gloves to come off.......

Statement from Eamon Gilmore just in........

GILMORE SEEKS MEETING OF PARTY LEADERS TO CONSIDER O’DONOGHUE EXPENSES CONTROVERSY

I am very concerned at the damage that is being done to office of Ceann Comhairle and to the body politic by the continuing controversy surrounding expenses incurred by Deputy John O’Donoghue both during his previous tenure as a Minister in the Fianna Fail government and in his current period as Ceann Comhairle.

All members of the Oireachtas incur expenditure in carrying out their functions and it is entirely appropriate that they should be recompensed for that. There is also perfectly legitimate expenditure associated with the official functions and duties of office holders. This includes cost of overseas travel, when officially representing the country abroad.

The Labour Party believes that those travelling abroad to represent Ireland, whether they be government Ministers or Ceann Comhairle are entitled to do so with a reasonable degree of dignity and comfort. We also accept that certain expenses and costs will necessarily be incurred by the Chairman of Dail Eireann as part of the routine links that are maintained between national parliaments.

However, the disclosures over recent months, including the documents placed in the Dail Library on Friday, would appear to suggest a pattern of extravagance which is unacceptable to the taxpayers who are paying the Bill.

I have been cautious to date about commenting on this controversy because of my respect for the independence of office of Ceann Comhairle. I have also acknowledged that Deputy John O’Donoghue has discharged his duties as Ceann Comhairle in the Dail in a fair and impartial manner.

However, I am concerned that if the current controversy continues serious damage further damage will be done to the office of Ceann Comhairle, to the Dail and to our democratic system.

There is therefore a necessity on the Dail to consider how this problem should be dealt with. This week I will be seeking a meeting of the Leaders of all the political parties to consider how the controversy now surrounding the Ceann Comhairle should be appropriately addressed and what further steps need to be taken to restore public confidence in the operation of the Oireachtas.

[setanta]

Excellent. A dignified and welcome statement from Eamon Gilmore. O'Donoghue has been given every opportunity to establish his credentials on this matter and has failed. It's now time for the party leaders in the Dáil to determine the next course of action.

[W..R.H]

Interesting development.

Of course he has go, doesn't he? The continual presence of John O'Donoughue is undermining Irish politics as a whole.

If Gilmore is serious about this, the following needs to happen:

1). The demand for John O'Donughue to step down as CC. If this is not heard, a motion of no confidence should be put down.

2.) A review of the expenses system. A complete overhaul must happen if Labour are serious about this.

Anything else is just empty posturing as usual

But don't stop there! Labour and FG must be firm and decisive about the FAS revelations. They must pursue this to the highest level.
Then I will have some faith in our Opposition, until then, what's the point.

[FutureTaoiseach]

Yes. Cowen will have an extra Dail vote that way anyway. It is not befitting the dignity of the office of CC for such controversy to surround the holder of that office. A CC needs to have the respect of the House over which he presides. A Versailles-lifestyle with taxpayers' money is not consistent with that.

[Iarmhi Gael]

About fecking time... Should have been FG stepping up to the plate.... I suppose their hands were tied as all they demanded was an apology and an explaination. They would have been better stating they would deal with the JoD matter after the Lisbon vote

Well done Ken Foxe and the Tribune, Gavinsblog and the many others in that small group who have worked on this - You have been a lonely voice on this far too often. RTE should be ashamed with themselves.



In fairness I'd like to see what exactly was spent in the two years before O'Donoghue by the then CC Rory O'Hanlon.

[FakeViking]

Yes, about time. The stroke of releasing his expenses on Referendum day shows the contempt in which he holds his electorate.

[The Red Rose of Cork]

Lets hit the nail on the head on this one - he goes racing a lot in Paris and he gets the taxpayer to pay for his weekends of racing !

nothing short of scandalous - he must go now

[FutureTaoiseach]

Mods, can you integrate polldaddy.com polls into the site so as to reduce repeat voting?

[rhonda15]

Mods, can you integrate polldaddy.com polls into the site so as to reduce repeat voting?

+1

[flavirostris]

This seems like Gilmore signalling that the Lisbon marriage of convenience has been dissolved and it's back to business as usual