Cullen lashes media for treatment of expenses controversy

Minister for Sport and Tourism Martin Cullen has criticised the media for its treatment of the expenses controversy.

Minister Cullen said many of the facts surrounding Ceann Comhairle John O'Donoghue's expenses had been presented in an “extremely distorted” fashion.

In defence of his cabinet colleagues, the minister said that while there had been failures regarding expenses, he did not accept the denigration of decent people who had served for a long period of time.

Minister Cullen said he supported reform of the system, but insisted sufficient details of politicians’ expenses were already in the public domain.

“I certainly am not aware of any issue that would be bothering any minister and certainly in my case I've nothing worrying me in that regard,” the minister said.

“I think what's probably frustrating for some of it is - and I say this openly and honestly - is the way that it's presented in the media can at times be extremely distorted, and present what are purported to be facts in an incorrect manner, and I think it's very unfair to the individuals concerned.”