O’Donoghue steps down - Reform is needed now

Wednesday, October 14, 2009

JOHN O’DONOGHUE made a spirited and passionate defence of his position and achievements during his resignation speech in the Dáil yesterday afternoon.

His recurring theme was that he had been denied the opportunity to respond to the charges made against him because of the non-political nature of his office. The argument that he should have made a comprehensive, once-off statement to protect the non-political character of that office is at least as valid.

He insisted that he followed norms observed by all ministers. This may be an excuse but it is not a valid defence, especially in these straitened times.

It is possible to have sympathy for Mr O’Donoghue in that he has paid the price for the detachment shown by this Government but, like it or not, he is ultimately responsible for all expenditure undertaken on his or his office’s behalf.

The whole affair has undermined politics and possibly fatally damaged a political career. Unless immediate and deep reform of how our public representatives are reimbursed for legitimate expenses is undertaken we can expect further resignations and not just of members of the Government parties.

This story appeared in the printed version of the Irish Examiner Wednesday, October 14, 2009