O'Donoghue 'political adviser' costs €90,000
He claims his office is above politics in expenses letter
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Tuesday September 15 2009
EMBATTLED Ceann Comhairle John O'Donoghue has his own personally appointed political adviser, costing the taxpayer €90,000 a year.
That is despite claiming his office is non-political and he cannot engage in public debate on his lavish expenses.
Mr O'Donoghue's special adviser is one of six staff working directly for the Kerry South TD, even though he will be automatically re-elected at the next general election.
The former tourism minister created the post of special adviser when he became Ceann Comhairle in 2007 -- and none of his predecessors had their own press and policy adviser.
The revelation will raise further questions about Mr O'Donoghue's role as the independent and impartial chairman of the Dail.
Legal sources also indicated that there is no legal or constitutional rules preventing Mr O'Donoghue from commenting on his lavish expenses as a minister.
The Ceann Comhairle yesterday defended the enormous expenses he chalked up over recent years -- but was immediately hit by demands for a full and frank apology.
The former minister claimed he had no knowledge of the costs involved when he travelled on junkets at the taxpayers' expense.
Mr O'Donoghue's keenly anticipated statement in response to the controversy over his trips when he was minister for arts, sport and tourism did not include an apology. In his first public response to the controversy, Mr O'Donoghue said he acknowledged "some of the costs incurred appear high". He expressed regret at some of the high expenses incurred but immediately pointed out he didn't know about the them.
Mr O'Donoghue said he would endeavour to ensure expenses are reduced to the minimum in the future.
The Ceann Comhairle gave himself a pat on the back for taking a 10pc pay cut -- even though he had no option as the cut was taken by the other ministers who get paid the same salary.
Environment Minister John Gormley said the affair showed the need to reform the expenses system.
Fine Gael leader Enda Kenny said Mr O'Donoghue didn't go far enough in his statement and he needed to apologise.
Labour front-bench spokesperson Roisin Shortall said Mr O'Donoghue did not appear to appreciate the extent of public shock at the level of expenses.
The most withering criticism of Mr O'Donoghue came from within Fianna Fail. Backbencher Mattie McGrath accused the Ceann Comhairle of "travelling around like a modern-day prince" on the government jet.
The former Fianna Fail minister tomorrow faces the embarrassing prospect of having to rule out of order questions about his €500,000 expenses bill. Sinn Fein is due to raise the issue in the Dail when TDs return to Leinster House after the summer recess.
In his letter to TDs, Mr O'Donoghue said he stayed silent on the extensive media coverage of the affair to protect the status of his current position."As I have mentioned, the nature of the position of Ceann Comhairle as impartial chairman of Dail Eireann under the Constitution prevents me from becoming embroiled in public controversy in the media or on the floor of the House.
"This is why I am writing to you personally to assure you that, despite these constraints and the natural desire to cross swords with critics in my own defence, I intend to uphold the very high standards rightly expected of the holder of the office of Ceann Comhairle.
"I will therefore refrain from becoming involved in public debate and public controversy in my own defence in response to the recent media comment and criticism concerning me," he wrote.
Policy
Despite his protests about the need to keep a low profile, Mr O'Donoghue created a post of special adviser when he became Ceann Comhairle in 2007.The position is a political appointment, meaning the adviser is not a civil servant and is personally hired by Mr O'Donoghue -- at the taxpayers' expense.
Mr O'Donoghue's special adviser, Dan Collins, is one of six staff working in the Ceann Comhairle's private office in Leinster House. He was four secretarial staff and a personal assistant, all working on constituency queries. Ordinary TDs have one secretary and a personal assistant.
"The Ceann Comhairle's office has its own distinct role and Dan Collins' role as special adviser includes developing the Ceann Comhairle's role in the ongoing communications strategy, working to facilitate the Ceann Comhairle's engagement with representative bodies to increase public awareness of parliament and working in media relations involving the Ceann Comhairle's office,"
Mr O'Donoghue's adviser said. Mr Collins was Mr O'Donoghue's press officer when he was Minister for Arts, Sport of Tourism.
- Fionnan Sheahan and Senan Molony
