Paul Hosford: Why did Donohoe and English wait for issues to become public before coming clean?

For all the protestation that the approach of both men shows a commitment to transparency, it certainly doesn't feel like it

Paschal Donohoe is likely to account for his discrepancy in the Dáil this week or next, but Taoiseach Leo Varadkar doesn't see a need for Mr English to do so, now that he has stepped down from his ministerial brief. Picture: Leah Farrell/RollingNews.ie

During the early days of the Covid-19 pandemic, it was common for Paschal Donohoe to take the Friday press conference at Government Buildings.

Ostensibly, these briefings would focus on figures — those receiving social welfare, the costs, and so on — but the purpose of rolling out the Dublin Central TD as the country faced lockdown was clear: this is a time for calm, sensible heads and Paschal Donohoe was just that. Which makes the news of a Standards in Public Office Commission (Sipo) investigation into his failure to properly disclose work done for his 2016 general election campaign even more uncomfortable than it might otherwise be.