Coalition silence over O'Donoghue jet trips
Only one TD condemns use of state plane as 'bloody joke'
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Monday August 03 2009
THE government parties last night maintained silence on the position of Ceann Comhairle John O'Donoghue after further embarrassing revelations about his expenses claims.
It has emerged that Mr O'Donoghue used the government jet over a six-day period in 2006 to travel to the Cannes Film Festival in France, a constituency event in Kerry, the Heineken Rugby Cup final won by Munster in Cardiff, and a Ryder Cup launch near London, at a total cost of €32,450 to the taxpayer.
The only figure to publicly call on him to explain his position was his constituency rival, independent TD Jackie Healy-Rae, who described his use of the government jet as a "bloody joke".
Mr O'Donoghue was Arts, Sports and Tourism Minister at the time.
Reforming
However, as Ceann Comhairle and head of the Oireachtas Commission, he has been responsible for reforming the expenses system for TDs and senators. Last year, it cost the taxpayer €11m.
Mr Healy-Rae criticised the use of the government jet by Mr O'Donoghue, saying he was "absolutely amazed" at his behaviour. "That's the greatest blackguarding that was ever done. Hadn't he one of the newest Mercedes in Ireland and a driver? A jet? A bloody joke," he told the Irish Independent.
However, Taoiseach Brian Cowen refused to comment on the latest damaging revelations last night. Fianna Fail's coalition partners, the Greens, also avoided commenting specifically on Mr O'Donoghue's actions.
A Green Party spokeswoman said its ministers avoided using the government jet and hinted that other Fianna Fail ministers would have to use more commercial airlines in future.
"There is a realisation that costs can be cut by using commercial travel across all departments and it's likely that we'll see alternative cost-saving travel arrangements where possible," she said.
There has also been a relatively low key reaction from the opposition, who have been far more vocal in relation to the use of the government jet by other ministers.
As Ceann Comhairle, Mr O'Donoghue is the sole judge of order in the Dail and can order any TD to leave the House for disorderly conduct or suspend them. He can also grant or deny TDs the right to raise issues.
In a statement, which did not mention Mr O'Donoghue by name, Fine Gael said ministers needed to demonstrate at all times that they were taking good care of public money.
"Despite the fact that much of this happened several years ago, this does not reflect well on behalf of the Government. Taoiseach Brian Cowen should ensure that use of the government jet is always in accordance with the guidelines," it said.
Waste
The Labour Party referred to its previously released statement which described Mr O'Donoghue's expenses as "symptomatic of the profligate waste of taxpayers' money that was such a characteristic waste of Fianna Fail governments between 1997-2007".
It comes after revelations that Mr O'Donoghue, his wife Kate Ann and his private secretary, ran up a travel bill of more than €100,000 over two years while he was Arts Minister.
Mr O'Donoghue himself could not be contacted for comment last night.
Last week Finance Minister Brian Lenihan signed a statutory instrument to give him the power to alter the system of expenses by paying a monthly lump sum to TDs to cover travel and overnight costs, along with money to run constituency offices.
This "all-in-one expenses system" will replace multiple expenses claims made by TDs and senators for office, telephone, mileage and overnight/ daily subsistence on top of their basic respective salaries of €100,000 and €70,000.
- Michael Brennan Political Correspondent
