WILLIE O’DEA resigned last night as Minister for Defence as a result of the controversy over his swearing of a false affidavit in a High Court case.
Mr O’Dea sent a letter to Taoiseach Brian Cowen offering his resignation, and it was accepted and announced by the Taoiseach shortly before 9pm. The resignation letter was sent to President Mary McAleese for her approval.
Mr Cowen will take over the duties of Minister for Defence, pending a new appointment. Among names being mentioned last night as possible successors to Mr ODea were Minister of State for Fisheries Tony Killeen, from the neighbouring constituency of Clare; and Minister of State for Science, Technology and Innovation Conor Lenihan.
In his letter, Mr O’Dea said: “I have at all times acted in the interests of the Government and of the people I have been honoured to represent. It is my belief that I have always acted honourably and in good faith in the conduct of my duties as a Minister.
“While I resolutely refute all the accusations made against me in recent days, I have come to the regrettable conclusion that my continuing in office will only serve to distract from the important and vital work of government in addressing the serious challenges that the country continues to face at this time.”
In response, the Taoiseach thanked Mr O’Dea for his hard work and commitment in carrying out his duties as Minister. “I believe that you have made a significant contribution to the Governments in which you have served and have shown great skill in overseeing the modernisation of the Defence Forces,” he added.
Green Party leader John Gormley last night outlined the reasons he believed Mr O'Dea had to resign. "Yesterday afternoon, I met Willie O'Dea and he assured me that an article in today's Limerick Leaderwould vindicate him. The article published today does not do that. In fact it does the opposite."
Mr Gormley also pointed to the fact that, at the end of the Dáil confidence debate, Mr O’Dea had said his original allegations were based on information given to him by An Garda Síochána. “We were very concerned by this behaviour by a member of Government.”
He said the Greens had also taken the view that Mr O’Dea’s comments and conduct during the Dáil debate and in subsequent media appearances were inappropriate. “All these factors have led us to conclude that Willie O’Dea could not continue as a member of this Government. The issue has already taken up too much energy and attention at a time when crucial economic challenges face the Irish people,” said Mr Gormley
There was a dispute last night between Fianna Fáil and the Green Party over the circumstances of Mr O'Dea's resignation. Fianna Fáil sources insist Mr O'Dea's decision to resign was made during a phone conversation with the Taoiseach shortly after lunchtime yesterday. That conversation followed Mr O'Dea's interview with Sean O'Rourke on RTÉ's News at Onein which he had said: "My position is in the hands of the Taoiseach to do with as he will."
Green Party sources insisted, however, the resignation had come about when Mr Gormley told the Taoiseach in mid-afternoon that the party could no longer support Mr O’Dea.
Mr Gormley went to see the Taoiseach after a meeting of his parliamentary party at which there was a consensus that circumstances had changed radically since they voted confidence in Mr O’Dea less than 24 hours earlier. The Green TDs and Senators met at noon and broke for crucial Dáil votes an hour or so later. The meeting resumed at 2.15pm and shortly after 3pm Mr Gormley went to meet the Taoiseach in his office.
Mr O’Dea’s resignation came after rowdy exchanges in the Dáil, the tabling by Fine Gael in the Seanad of a motion of no confidence and near-defeat of the Government in a Dáil vote. Eight Fianna Fáil TDs were absent for the vote which resulted in a tie and the Government was only saved by the casting vote of Ceann Comhairle Séamus Kirk.
Green Party sources pointed out last night the vote highlighted the fact that the future of the Coalition depended on their support.
Fine Gael leader Enda Kenny said the resignation was an inevitable consequence of his false affidavit. “Despite knowing the full facts, the Taoiseach and his Fianna Fáil and Green Ministers queued up just yesterday to vehemently support Deputy O’Dea, to assert that he had done nothing wrong other than a simple human mistake, and to vote complete confidence in him.”