John O'Donoghue, T.D. is to step down from his position as Ceann Comhairle next week.
Mr O'Donoghue announced his decision after immense pressure was placed on him by opposition parties over his expense claims as Ceann Comhairle. Newspaper revelations about Mr O'Donoghue's travel arrangements while he was Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism damaged him reports RTE. However, the release on Friday of his expense claims as Ceann Comhairle sealed his fate.
The pressure built over the weekend, but it was taken to a whole new level in the Dáil chamber today, when Labour leader Eamon Gilmore dramatically told Mr O'Donoghue to his face that his position was untenable. Mr Gilmore said the Ceann Comhairle would have to resign or be sacked. Fine Gael's Enda Kenny quickly backed the call and negotiations ensued with the party whips.
At 10.30pm, Mr O'Donoghue issued a statement saying he would resign next week, when he will make a statement to the Dáil. The Labour Party welcomed the Ceann Comairle's statement, but Fine Gael said the delay in his resignation would only do further damage to the office of the Ceann Comahirle. Enda Kenny said he was still of the view that an immediate resignation is preferable.
Taoiseach Brian Cowen’s statement:
“In indicating his intention to step down from the office of Ceann Comhairle, John O’Donoghue TD, acted in the best interests of Dáil Éireann,
and the office of Ceann Comhairle. He has been a most effective and fair Ceann Comhairle who has acted with commitment and integrity to ensure that the members of Dáil Éireann could debate freely and fairly the issues of the day.”
“The Ceann Comhairle has indicated that he wishes to make a statement to the House next week, I respect his right to do that. I thank him for his contribution to this Dáil as Ceann Comhairle and I wish him well for the future.”
John O'Donoghue's website At 23:30 6th October 2009:
Mr O'Donoghue announced his decision after immense pressure was placed on him by opposition parties over his expense claims as Ceann Comhairle. Newspaper revelations about Mr O'Donoghue's travel arrangements while he was Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism damaged him reports RTE. However, the release on Friday of his expense claims as Ceann Comhairle sealed his fate.
The pressure built over the weekend, but it was taken to a whole new level in the Dáil chamber today, when Labour leader Eamon Gilmore dramatically told Mr O'Donoghue to his face that his position was untenable. Mr Gilmore said the Ceann Comhairle would have to resign or be sacked. Fine Gael's Enda Kenny quickly backed the call and negotiations ensued with the party whips.
At 10.30pm, Mr O'Donoghue issued a statement saying he would resign next week, when he will make a statement to the Dáil. The Labour Party welcomed the Ceann Comairle's statement, but Fine Gael said the delay in his resignation would only do further damage to the office of the Ceann Comahirle. Enda Kenny said he was still of the view that an immediate resignation is preferable.
Taoiseach Brian Cowen’s statement:
“In indicating his intention to step down from the office of Ceann Comhairle, John O’Donoghue TD, acted in the best interests of Dáil Éireann,
and the office of Ceann Comhairle. He has been a most effective and fair Ceann Comhairle who has acted with commitment and integrity to ensure that the members of Dáil Éireann could debate freely and fairly the issues of the day.”
“The Ceann Comhairle has indicated that he wishes to make a statement to the House next week, I respect his right to do that. I thank him for his contribution to this Dáil as Ceann Comhairle and I wish him well for the future.”
John O'Donoghue's website At 23:30 6th October 2009:
Eamon Gilmore seeks Ceann Comhairle's resignation earlier today:
POLITICAL BIOGRAPHY:O'Donoghue first became involved in politics in the early 1980s. He first ran for the Dáil as a Fianna Fáil candidate at the 1981 general election, however, in spite of polling over 3,700 he failed to be elected. O'Donoghue contested both the February and November general elections in 1982 but, although he increased his vote, he still failed to be elected. Building on his electoral profile O'Donoghue was elected to Kerry County Council in the 1985 local elections. Both his mother and his father had served on the Council before him. He served on that authority until 1997 and was elected chairman in 1990.
O'Donoghue was finally elected to the Dáil on his fourth attempt at the 1987 general election.[2] A supporter of the party leader, Charles Haughey, he remained on the backbenches until 1991 when he became Minister of State at the Department of Finance following Albert Reynolds's failed attempt to oust Haughey as Taoiseach. In this capacity O'Donoghue was in charge of the Office of Public Works. He returned to the backbenches again when Reynolds finally became leader of Fianna Fáil and Taoiseach in February 1992. Two years later Fianna Fáil were back in opposition and Bertie Ahern was the new party leader. O'Donoghue was appointed to the front bench as spokesperson on Justice. In this capacity he constantly criticised the incumbent Minister for Justice, Nora Owen of Fine Gael. He demanded 'zero tolerance' for criminals, and campaigned for harsher sentencing and increased prison places.
When Fianna Fáil returned to power with the Progressive Democrats following the 1997 general election O'Donoghue joined the cabinet as Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform, one of the most senior government positions. In this capacity he was heavily involved in the British-Irish negotiations which led to the Good Friday Agreement in 1998.
In 2002 Fianna Fáil again failed to obtain an overall majority and formed a coalition government with the Progressive Democrats. O'Donoghue, in what was seen as a demotion, was appointed Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism. He was involved in the finalisation of details for the rebuilding of Lansdowne Road. In mid-2004 Ahern announced that he would be reshuffling his cabinet in September, prompting speculation over O'Donoghue's cabinet position, and a possible move to another portfolio. O'Donoghue, however, retained his post.
Following the 2007 general election, he was elected Ceann Comhairle by 90 votes to 75. O'Donoghue was nominated for the position by Taoiseach, Bertie Ahern. Labour Party leader Pat Rabbitte said that for the first time in almost 20 years there would be an alternative and nominated Ruairi Quinn. Fine Gael leader Enda Kenny seconded Quinn's nomination but the nomination was not put to a vote.
