“Ceann Comhairle right to resign over expenses” – D’Arcy

It was right and proper that Ceann Comhairle John O’Donoghue resigned his position.  So says Fine Gael T.D. Michael D’Arcy who branded the extent of the expenses incurred by the Minister, both as Ceann Comhairle and Minister for Sport as “lavish and extravagant”.

“It’s little wonder the public mood is one of extreme anger”, Deputy D’Arcy said.  “I’m seeing people every day who have lost their jobs, or have had their wages greatly reduced through levies and new taxes yet the example from the Ceann Comhairle was one of substantial personal gain from a practice of claiming such exorbitant expenses.”

“In the midst of the serious recession we’re in at this time in this country I can understand, completely, why people are angry and frustrated at the revelations of Deputy O’ Donoghue’s expenses.  It is only right and proper that he resigned.” 

Public confidence needs to be restored in our political leaders,” Deputy D’Arcy continued, adding “it’s just a pity that in his address to the Dail upon his resignation, he chose to cast the blame on the media, on opposition parties, on everyone but the one who incurred the expenses – himself.”