O’Donoghue to stand down as Ceann Comhairle today

John O'Donoghue is set to stand down as Ceann Comhairle of the Dáil today as a result of the controversy surrounding his expenses claims in recent years.

The Kerry South TD is expected to mount a robust defence of his actions before formally resigning from the role.

His position became untenable last week when he lost the support of the Opposition due to the revelations about his overseas travel at the expense of the taxpayer.

On the day of the Lisbon Treaty referendum, he lodged documents in the Dáil library showing that he had racked up more than €90,000 in foreign travel expenses since becoming Ceann Comhairle in 2007.

Mr O'Donoghue's replacement will be nominated by the Taoiseach sometime this afternoon.

A number of names are being linked with the job, including Fianna Fáil TD Seamus Kirk and Green Party junior minister Trevor Sargent.