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.
Asked about Mr O'Donoghue's position today, the Tánaiste, Mary Coughlan, said it was appropriate that he be allowed put forward his proposals to the Oireachtas Commission tomorrow.
She refused to be drawn on whether Mr O'Donoghue's position was now tenable, responding: "I think it is appropriate that the Ceann Comhairle . . . is given the opportunity to say what he is has to say tomorrow, and any way to undermine that capacity would be wrong."
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.
However, Sinn Féin Dáil leader Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin today called on Mr O’Donoghue to resign immediately as Ceann Comhairle, saying his position had become untenable.
Speaking after a meeting of his party's Oireachtas team in Leinster House this morning, Mr Ó Caoláin said Mr O’Donoghue had embarked on a series of "lavish junkets" since he took office, bringing to the position of Ceann Comhairle "the same cavalier attitude to public money that became all-pervasive during the Celtic Tiger years at the highest levels in Government and in some State and semi-State bodies such as Fás and that was in evidence during his term as Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism".
"The position of John O'Donoghue TD as Ceann Comhairle has become untenable given his continued waste of public money since he took the chair of the Dáil."
Mr Ó Caoláin urged Fine Gael and Labour to support a motion calling for John O’Donoghue to resign if he did not do so immediately.
Following the intervention of Mr Kenny and Mr Gilmore 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 Oireachtas 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.
Speaking this morning, Louth Fianna Fáil TD Séamus Kirk, a member of the Oireachtas Commission, refused to be drawn over whether Mr O'Donoghue would chair the meeting of the commission tomorrow at which the Ceann Comhairle will present proposals on expenses reform.
Mr Kirk said there were a number of options available in relation to this and that he did not see it as a problem.
"It's clearly going to be an opportunity for the Ceann Comhairle to [go through] the different aspects of the controversy that has been raging the last number of weeks, it will be an opportunity for the members of the commission to reflect and consider what the position is of now going forward."
Questioned on whether a commission plan on expenses reform was being blocked by Fianna Fáil backbenchers, Mr Kirk said there had been cuts across the board already through a 25 per cent cut in travel by imposed by Minister for Finance Brian Lenihan and a 10 per cent cut in "a whole range of expenses".
Mr Kirk said the commission had drawn up a cost-effective way to deal with this by giving TDs a fixed amount every month to cover their expenses.
"The major problem with the expenses is . . . the rent and running costs of constituency offices. The cost of running a constituency office and the support systems that go with it cost money."
"We've got to remember that members of the Oireachtas are delivering a service to their constituents and the constituencies across the country. Constituents have become accustomed and used to that service, and they expect it, and to back away from it is going to create its own pain for the political system. But if that has to be changed, we've got to move and change it," the Louth TD said.
Fine Gael's 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 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.