O'Donoghue must clarify travel expenses or resign - FG Senator

A FINE Gael Senator yesterday called on Ceann Comhairle John O’Donoghue to stand down if he fails to make a statement on his travel arrangements and expenses when he was a Government minister.

Senator Paschal Donohoe described Mr O’Donoghue as a “waster” and said the reputation of the Oireachtas could be dragged down by his actions.

In a post on his website yesterday, the Dublin Central-based Senator, said of Mr O’Donoghue: “I can’t understand why he is still in his job and why he hasn’t commented on a month of revelations.”

He was referring to disclosures of the levels of spending on travel and expenses by Mr O’Donoghue when he was minister for arts, sports and tourism between 2002 and 2007. The spending on foreign travel, which amounted to over €100,000, included almost £10,000 on car hire during one trip to London and Cheltenham and the use of the Government jet over six days, which included a flight from Cannes in France to Kerry so Mr O’Donoghue could attend a constituency event.

Mr O’Donoghue has refused to comment on the controversy since it become public over a month ago and his spokesman has not been available for comment.

Some of his colleagues in Fianna Fáil, including former minister Mary O’Rourke, have said his position as Ceann Comhairle may preclude him from making public comment on the matter.

In the first public criticism of the expenses by an Oireachtas member, Mr Donohoe said yesterday that Mr O’Donoghue’s silence and attempts by his Fianna Fáil colleagues to justify the costs were unacceptable.

“The Ceann Comhairle is chairman of the House of the Oireachtas Commission which oversees the review of expenses and the upkeep of standards. There is a direct contradiction.

“He should come out and make a statement or accept that he is not capable of continuing as Ceann Comhairle of the Dáil,” said Mr Donohoe.