Labour welcomes resignation statement

LABOUR welcomed the late night announcement that John O’Donoghue is to resign from the position of Ceann Comhairle having cornered him into doing so by proposing a motion of no-confidence.

Just hours before the anticipated statement of the Ceann Comhairle’s intention to quit, Labour leader, Eamon Gilmore, said: “I believe John O’Donoghue has done a very good job and a very fair job as Ceann Comhairle and I wish it had been possible to do it differently.”

Mr Gilmore had earlier kick-started the evening’s dramatic events by telling a stunned Dáil that Mr O’Donoghue’s should step down: “I regret to say this but I consider your position is no longer tenable. I think you will either have to resign or I think you will have to be removed from office,” he said as the Ceann Comhairle stared back at him expressionless.