Expenses pressure mounts on Ceann Comhairle

A GARDA-DRIVEN Audi A6 travels from Dublin to collect John O’Donoghue at Kerry Airport when he flies home to his constituency for weekends at the expense of taxpayers, it has emerged.

Pressure is mounting on the embattled Ceann Comhairle, with Fine Gael saying he should consider his position if he does not deal with the controversy by repaying some of the expenses and reducing his staff numbers.

Labour leader Eamon Gilmore last night claimed that the expenses saga is doing “serious damage” to the Dáil “and to our democratic system” and is seeking a meeting with the Taoiseach to discuss the matter.