Cowen: O’Donoghue need not repay expenses

FORMER Ceann Comhairle John O’Donoghue has no need to repay the massive travel bills and expenses which forced him from office, Taoiseach Brian Cowen has indicated.

Mr Cowen said all of the expenses had been audited and approved, as stated by Mr O’Donoghue in his resignation speech to the Dáil on Tuesday.

“The Ceann Comhairle has given an account to the House yesterday and all of those expenses were audited and passed by the relevant accounting officers,” Mr Cowen said.