Ó Caoláin calls for O’Donoghue’s resignation

Sinn Féin Dáil Leader Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin TD has called on John O’Donoghue TD to resign as Ceann Comhairle, saying that his position has become untenable given his continued waste of public money since he took the chair of the Dáil.

Speaking after a meeting of Sinn Féin’s Oireachtas team in Leinster House this morning, Deputy Ó Caoláin said the Ceann Comhairle had embarked on a series of "lavish junkets" since he took office, bringing to the position of Ceann Comhairle "the same cavalier attitude to public money that became all-pervasive during the Celtic Tiger years at the highest levels in Government and in some State and semi-State bodies such as FÁS and that was in evidence during his term as Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism".

He went on to urge both Fine Gael and the Labour Party to support his call for John O’Donoghue’s resignation.

Deputy Ó Caoláin said:
"The position of John O'Donoghue TD as Ceann Comhairle has become untenable given his continued waste of public money since he took the chair of the Dáil.

"It is clear now that Deputy O'Donoghue embarked on a series of lavish junkets since taking up the office of Chair of the House.

"He brought to the position of Ceann Comhairle the same cavalier attitude to public money that became all-pervasive during the Celtic Tiger years at the highest levels in Government and in some State and semi-State bodies such as FÁS and that was in evidence during his term as Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism.

"We have to challenge a culture whereby a senior official of the State, such as Deputy O'Donoghue, can, for example, avail of £799 sterling of Irish taxpayers' money to hire a limousine to take him between terminals and a VIP lounge at Heathrow Aiport.

“Deputy O'Donoghue should resign immediately and, if he does not, a motion calling on him to resign should be tabled in the Dáil. I am calling on both Fine Gael and the Labour Party to support this position and to facilitate the moving of a motion calling for his resignation if the need arises” concluded the Sinn Féin Dáil leader.