Fine Gael leader demands full apology over expenses

THE huge expenses bill run up by John O’Donoghue during his time as Minister for Arts, Sports and Tourism was indicative of the broader “carry on” in Fianna Fáil that was “fast and loose with the tax payers’ money”, according to Fine Gael.

The Ceann Comhairle yesterday admitted that some of his expenses claims on lavish travel and luxury hotel rooms “appeared high”, but that they were legitimate.

In his first public comments since the controversy emerged almost two months ago, the chairman of the Dáil and Fianna Fáil Kerry South Deputy said: “I sincerely regret the costs that were incurred in so far as they were high and paid on my account.”