Madam, – I note the work done by the Labour Party on the issue of John O’Donoghue’s expenses. It certainly was a political victory, but if that is all that happens then it is no victory at all. It is now time to publish all Oireachtas members’ expenses, reform the system from top to bottom, put in place a proper system of internal controls, and lay out the appropriate penalties for non-compliance. I am still waiting for the Government and/or the Opposition to get around to tabling such proposals. If they fail to do so, it should be clear to all that this issue only mattered to the Opposition insofar as they could use it to take a swipe at the Government.
So on behalf of the poor fools who are paying for all of this (the taxpayers), I want to know what comes next? Will there be any actual reform or was it all just posturing? – Yours, etc,
Madam, – If the Ceann Comhairle’s office is considered to be above politics, can someone please point out what could possibly be considered “below” politics? – Yours, etc,
Madam, – The resignation of the Ceann Comhairle was not surprising. Our politicians insist on putting their own interest first at every opportunity and in every circumstance. The decision to hang on until next week is merely an outrageous attempt to exploit the position of Ceann Comhairle in that, if the Dáil dissolves in the meantime, it will not be necessary for him to seek re-election.
As if to emphasise the extent of the rot that has set in and the camaraderie that exists among the political establishment, Mr Cowen sought to praise by suggesting that, “He [Mr O’Donoghue] has been a most effective and fair Ceann Comhairle who has acted with commitment and integrity . . .” How is it possible to find any “integrity” in the behaviour that has been dragged into the view of a bewildered public? And surely we can be forgiven for assuming that Mr O’Donoghue’s sins are but the tip of the iceberg?
Is it not now time that every politician that held a post in government over the past 12 years should have all their financial affairs scrutinised and every cent accounted for? We all know now that even those that repeatedly gushed about their “integrity” and claimed that they are only motivated by a desire to serve and “break moulds” may well have succumbed to the urge to stick their head in the trough.
If we are to have a future, we must banish the “me-feinism” that has flourished under this Government and seek out those who really have a desire to serve. – Yours, etc,
Madam, – In an attempt to begin to restore some confidence in politics, may I suggest that a TD retiring at the next election be chosen as Ceann Comhairle for the remainder of this Dáil. – Yours etc,
Madam, – While John O’Donoghue seemingly couldn’t have cared less about the price of the highlife he enjoyed at the taxpayers’ expense, I suspect that yesterday morning (October 7th) he had a better idea of the actual cost. – Yours, etc,
Madam, – At last, a politician who is willing to stand up and display some leadership. Well done Eamon Gilmore.
John Gormley please take note. – Yours, etc,
Madam, – Given that the Ceann Comhairle appears to have claimed expenses for attending various high profile race meetings, it would be appropriate that we, as taxpayers, should be entitled to some or all of the winnings from those race meetings. Of course, the most likely outcome of such a situation would be a claim for losses incurred. – Yours, etc,
Madam, – Cynical and disrespectful of his office to the bitter end, John O’Donoghue chooses to resign next week, apparently in the hope that the Greens will pull the plug on the Government over the weekend thus guaranteeing him re-election to the next Dáil and providing him another five years to live off the Irish taxpayer. This man truly has no shame. – Yours, etc,
Madam, – The importance of John O’Donoghue’s expeditions to the Irish airline industry is clearly demonstrated by his resignation being immediately followed by the announcement of 676 redundancies at Aer Lingus. – Yours, etc,