CEANN COMHAIRLE John O’Donoghue has strongly indicated he does not intend to resign from his position by promising “detailed proposals” to allay ongoing concerns over his foreign travel expenses.
Mr O’Donoghue said in a statement last night that he will present “detailed proposals” to the Houses of the Oireachtas Commission at its meeting tomorrow. The proposals, he said, will respond to the recent criticisms by Fine Gael leader Enda Kenny and Labour leader Eamon Gilmore of what the latter described as a “pattern of extravagance” in Mr O’Donoghue’s foreign travel spending, and of the increased staffing in his office.
Following their intervention in the expenses row on Sunday night, Mr O’Donoghue faced enormous pressure yesterday to respond to their criticisms, amid growing uncertainty over his political future.
Green Party leader John Gormley added his voice to those calling for a detailed response from the Ceann Comhairle. He likened the ongoing controversy to a “running sore”.
Mr O’Donoghue travelled from his home in Cahirciveen, Co Kerry, yesterday to Dublin to meet advisers and to formulate a response.
The two-paragraph statement was issued shortly after 5.20pm and stated that the views of the three party leaders “will inform the proposals the Ceann Comhairle will present to the commission, the details of which are nearing completion”.
The commission, which Mr O’Donoghue chairs, is the body with responsibility for running the Dáil and Seanad, as well as all its administrative back-up. With some 800 people employed in Leinster House, it also has a role in overseeing expenses and allowances paid to TDs and Senators.
It is understood that there is no question of Mr O’Donoghue offering his resignation. However, the proposals may involve some politically embarrassing concessions if they are to satisfy Fine Gael’s demands.
Mr Kenny has said Mr O’Donoghue should consider his position if he does not adequately address three key issues relating to staffing levels in his office and “unrelated” travel expenses.
Mr Kenny said that some State spending – including constituency advertisements and flights for his wife, Kate Ann O’Donoghue – did not relate to the functions of his office.
Mr O’Donoghue employs 10 people in his office, seven more than his predecessor Rory O’Hanlon. They include a special adviser, who is paid an annual salary of €108,000. “There’s no need for the Ceann Comhairle of the Irish Dáil to have a [special] adviser,” said Mr Kenny yesterday.
Last night Taoiseach Brian Cowen said he welcomed the decision by the Ceann Comhairle to bring proposals to the commission. “The Taoiseach believes it’s the appropriate forum for the matter to be dealt with,” said his spokesman.
Separately, Mr Gilmore yesterday wrote to other party leaders requesting a meeting. He has asked them to respond before the resumption of the Dáil this afternoon. However, the indications from other parties were that their leaders would not agree to the meeting.
Mr Gilmore said yesterday that meeting the leaders would give the Ceann Comhairle the opportunity “to explain some of this . . . and give his side of the story”.
Minister for Foreign Affairs Micheál Martin yesterday defended Mr O’Donoghue’s record as Ceann Comhairle, as did Fianna Fáil deputy Ned O’Keeffe. Mr Martin said changes were being made across the board regarding expenses and that Mr O’Donoghue had apologised but he accepted that the bottom line was that “excessive expenditure shouldn’t occur”.
Mr Gormley said that the regime of expenses for TDs and Ministers needed reform.
“If it’s not dealt with by the commission, we intend to deal with it in the programme for government. It’s a running sore. It’s unacceptable and and I believe that people have every right to be angry,” he said.
Mr Kenny will today meet the three Fine Gael members of the commission, Deputies Dan Neville and Tom Hayes and Senator Paul Bradford, to brief them on his demands. “It’s not about intimidation or mob rule. This is about common sense and prudence,” Mr Kenny told RTÉ.
Horse Racing Ireland has released new details of more than €20,000 in expenses incurred by Mr O’Donoghue when he attended horse racing festivals in Melbourne, Aintree and Cheltenham as minister for arts, sport and tourism.
