‘Frugal’ John O’Donoghue

Bannasidhe

Just read this - ok it was in the Indo but they are quoting the Kerry Eye so perhaps its not complete BS.

FORMER Ceann Comhairle John O’Donoghue, who dramatically lost his seat last year, wants to run for Fianna Fail in Kerry in the next General Election telling voters today: "You’ve tried the rest, bring back the best".

Mr O’Donoghue (55) was forced to resign as speaker of the house in 2009 over his extravagant expenses claims.

In an interview published in today’s edition of Kerry’s Eye newspaper, he said: "A lot of people would say 'What's wrong with that fellow? He's got a damn fine pension now. Wouldn't he walk off into the sunset?' That's not how it's going to be.

"I would venture to say that I am the most experienced politician in this county who is offering himself for election. Outside of Dick Spring, no other politician has as much experience as I, except I didn't have the privilege of leading the party."

He said he lived a frugal lifestyle: "Most people who know me in the constituency would be well aware of the fact that I actually live very simply.”

And he added: "I don't say it in a boastful way, but I doubt if there was a TD in the history of the constituency who achieved as much for it."

Mr O’Donoghue was forced to resign in October 2009 from the position of Ceann Comhairle after a controversy over his expenses, exposed by the Sunday Tribune newspaper, had dragged on for months.

During two years while he was Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism he claimed Ministerial expenses of €126,000, including attending major race meetings in Australia and France under the guise of political necessity and taking limousine rides between airport terminals.

In one six day period in 2006 he used the government jet at a cost of €32,450 attending the Cannes Film festival, returning to Kerry for the opening of the Fexco company, travelling to the Heineken Cup final which Munster won and then travelling back to Cannes before going to London for a Ryder Cup event.

Car hire services on four trips to London came to €21,289 and three of the four visits were connected with race meetings at Cheltenham and Ascot.

He also sent his state car to Kerry to pick him up at the airport after he had flown from Dublin.

Before a planned Labour party motion of no confidence in him was put to the Dail, Mr O’Donoghue resigned his position as Ceann Comhairle strongly defending his conduct and claiming that he had been scapegoated.

When he lost his seat last year to Independent Tom Fleming he said: “I hope that the irony will not be lost upon you that I stand here, on my evening of defeat, in a hall – this magnificent sports complex – which I helped to build.”

He receives an annual pension of €119,000.

He claimed in today’s newspaper interview, that two of the sitting TDs in South Kerry Independents Tom Fleming and Michael Healy Rae are completely powerless and have been reduced to the role of spectators.

http://www.independent.ie/national-news/frugal-john-odonoghue-i-want-my-ff-dail-seat-back-3029517.html

"You’ve tried the rest, bring back the best". ?????

"Most people who know me in the constituency would be well aware of the fact that I actually live very simply.” This from a man embroiled in controversy over expenses and lavish spending!

It will be interesting to see how FF react to this - if they do select O'Donoghue it would, IMO, be a fairly damning indication that nothing has changed in FF.

Surely even FF wouldn't be that foolish?

walshb

Eh, Lowrey was voted back in, so was Willie O'Dea, and others. No suprise at all if the cute hoor gets in.

Bannasidhe

walshb wrote: »

Eh, Lowrey was voted back in, so was Willie O'Dea, and others. No suprise at all if the cute hoor gets in.

Oh, I wouldn't be surprised if he was elected if selected to run. What I am wondering is would Martin, who is trying to rebrand FF as a changed party, intervene if O'Donoghue was selected as the party's candidate?

walshb

Bannasidhe wrote: »

Oh, I wouldn't be surprised if he was elected if selected to run. What I am wondering is would Martin, who is trying to rebrand FF as a changed party, intervene if O'Donoghue was selected as the party's candidate?

And show some leadership, scruples and class? Don't hold your breath!

Sierra Oscar

There would be a high level of reluctance within FF to put forward O'Donoghue to stand again for election. There has to be a break from the past and it is time for new candidates to be allowed go forward for election.

At the end of the day it will be down to the local FF organization in Kerry to select a candidate at a future selection convention. To be honest O'Donoghue struggled to get selected at the last selection for GE2011, I don't think he has much of a chance this time around. I would imagine the local organization will look to Senator Mark Daly to represent them.

This is likely a case of John O'Donoghue attempting to secure a seat for his son - however at the end of the day if Mike Pat O'Donoghue wishes to go before the electorate he will have to do so on his own merit and not on that of his father.

Bannasidhe

Sierra Oscar wrote: »

There would be a high level of reluctance within FF to put forward O'Donoghue to stand again for election. There has to be a break from the past and it is time for new candidates to be allowed go forward for election.

At the end of the day it will be down to the local FF organization in Kerry to select a candidate at a future selection convention. To be honest O'Donoghue struggled to get selected at the last selection for GE2011, I don't think he has much of a chance this time around. I would imagine the local organization will look to Senator Mark Daly to represent them.

I agree.

So I wonder what is O'Donoghue's agenda in making those statements?

It's not as if a GE is just around the corner and, Vatican spat notwithstanding, the coalition seems to be still holding together.

Sierra Oscar

Bannasidhe wrote: »

I agree.

So I wonder what is O'Donoghue's agenda in making those statements?

It's not as if a GE is just around the corner and, Vatican spat notwithstanding, the coalition seems to be still holding together.

John O'Donoghue is probably just trying to reaffirm that he remains on the scene, although to be frank it does not seem as if he has been involved with FF in any way at a national level since the election. It also might be a signal that his Mike Pat O'Donoghue is interested in running down the line.

An election is a long way off yet, but I would expect FF to hold early selection conventions to allow candidates to build a high profile in the run up to the next election. Your still talking two years from now though I would imagine, assuming the government runs its full course.

Tora Bora

Just like his auld jousting partner, Jackie Healy Rea, O'Donoghue, is a simple man, who "eats his dinner in the middle of the day". That, surely is qualification enough for a permanent seat in Dail Eireann:D

Wishbone Ash

I doubt if there was a TD in the history of the constituency who achieved as much for it

The reason he shouldn't be considered. When will they learn that they are there to serve the good of the country - not their constituents.

Sierra Oscar

Wishbone Ash wrote: »

The reason he shouldn't be considered. When will they learn that they are there to serve the good of the country - not their constituents.

That's more of an issue with our electoral system more than anything. So long as the electoral system rewards those who take a parochial approach to 'national' politics then there will be John O'Donoghue's throughout Ireland.

Manach

Given recent statutory instruments being passed lately by the Dail, it might be better for a parochial approach approach instead of automatically passing legislation required of it by the EU and/or multi-national recording companies.

Bannasidhe

Manach wrote: »

Given recent statutory instruments being passed lately by the Dail, it might be better for a parochial approach approach instead of automatically passing legislation required of it by the EU and/or multi-national recording companies.

As worrying as the attempt to use statutory instruments to by pass any vote in the Dáil, I don't think it is an either/or situation. As for passing legislation required by the EU, I think that given the fact that most of our equality reforms were required by the EU we don't want to throw the baby out with the bath water when complaining about the EU either.

Parish politics, and nepotism in candidate selection, are separate issue to EU requirements and have been instrumental in creating a culture of cronyism and gombeen politics in Ireland and really do need to be dealt with.

I am reminded of the arrogance of O'Donoghue's comment, referred to in today'd Indo article, when he lost his seat in GE2011 and it's tone of how very dare you -'I hope that the irony will not be lost upon you that I stand here, on my evening of defeat, in a hall – this magnificent sports complex – which I helped to build.' It has always struck me as indicative of the whole mind-set behind parish politics.

gizmo555

http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/breaking/2012/0223/breaking41.html

During interviews in today’s Kerry’s Eye newspaper and on local radio, the former minister said there wasn’t a parish in the constituency that had not benefited from his time as a minister in two cabinets.

He said his successes as a TD remained standing and that opinions expressed in national newspapers on the expenses controversy which marred his last term in the Dáil were "yesterday’s fish and chip paper".

“I have delivered enormously for the constituency,” he said.

Or in other words, "Forget about how far I dug my snout into the trough, and remember the scraps I threw to you plebs."

(BTW, interesting to see how literally he takes the expression "parish pump politics.")

wingsnfire

I know in Killorglin John O'Donoghue became unpopular when he took the Ceann Comhairle post. A lot of people said they felt conned after voting for him and he also had local 'image problems' after he threatened to ruin a Garda. I've put a link as it was a big story for us but I don't know about outside Kerry.

http://www.sundayworld.com/columnists/index.php?aid=3160

He's also got another problem as in an upcoming international film called BURNED due at the Movies That Matter Amnesty International Film Festival it's going to be covered in the film that John O'Donoghue and Pat O'Donoghue would not help a relative because

“It was too politically sensitive and he would not upset the British”.

You couldn't make it up!

Bannasidhe

They are going to be covering O'Donoghue's 'comeback' attempts on Drivetime after the 5 o/c news.

Godge

The European Elections aren't all that far away if he is thinking in terms of making a comeback for those. And there might be enough eejits out there who will vote for him.

Bannasidhe

Godge wrote: »

The European Elections aren't all that far away if he is thinking in terms of making a comeback for those. And there might be enough eejits out there who will vote for him.

I hadn't thought of that!

Oh Lord, hasn't our reputation in Europe suffered enough?

wingsnfire

Bannasidhe wrote: »

They are going to be covering O'Donoghue's 'comeback' attempts on Drivetime after the 5 o/c news.

Oh thanks, I'll try and catch it now.

Bannasidhe

wingsnfire wrote: »

Oh thanks, I'll try and catch it now.

They are still discussing Pathways and JB will be on talking about that in a bit . O'Donoghue should be after that so you have a few minutes.

Scofflaw

Bannasidhe wrote: »

I agree.

So I wonder what is O'Donoghue's agenda in making those statements?

It's not as if a GE is just around the corner and, Vatican spat notwithstanding, the coalition seems to be still holding together.

On the other hand, Fianna Fáil are always thinking about the next election.

cordially,
Scofflaw

RubyRoss

Sierra Oscar wrote: »

That's more of an issue with our electoral system more than anything. So long as the electoral system rewards those who take a parochial approach to 'national' politics then there will be John O'Donoghue's throughout Ireland.

I appreciate the general sentiment but I don't think this is the case here. How is it flawed for a local politician to put himself forward and test the waters by doing 'awareness' interviews like this in a local paper? Would it be better he gave the interview to a national paper and discussed the Greek economy?

Nevertheless, O' Donoghue represents the worst of the culture you decribe: when he lost his seat in the Killarney Aqua Centre he made an obscene fuss that he was standing in a builing he secured the money for. The man doesn't understand that his 'gift' to Killarney does not mean people must vote for him. And they didn't.

raymon

All we need now is Callely and Dick roche to throw their pompous arrogant inflated hats into the ring.

Don't you love when ego distorts some peoples perception of their unpopularity.

Pride Fighter

Godge wrote: »

The European Elections aren't all that far away if he is thinking in terms of making a comeback for those. And there might be enough eejits out there who will vote for him.

I dont think FF will stab Brian Crowley in the back for John O'Donoghue and there is no way in hell FF will win 2 seats there.

Godge

Pride Fighter wrote: »

I dont think FF will stab Brian Crowley in the back for John O'Donoghue and there is no way in hell FF will win 2 seats there.

Crowley was asked to run in the general election to save some seats. He turned them down.

He was also asked to run for the Presidency but I don't know what happened.

At this stage Crowley owes FF more than they owe him. won't be able to argue against a strong running-mate.

ArtSmart

ok, first 55???? 55 yrs of age???

ok, it might mean the 55th CC.


I know Kerry doesn't operate like the rest of Ireland (likewise Donegal) but FFS.

Not a chance.

surely?






Surely???

raymon

Pride Fighter wrote: »

I dont think FF will stab Brian Crowley in the back for John O'Donoghue and there is no way in hell FF will win 2 seats there.

Have you been asleep for 30 years ? FF are the embodiment of backstabbery .!

RandolphEsq

Sierra Oscar wrote: »

That's more of an issue with our electoral system more than anything. So long as the electoral system rewards those who take a parochial approach to 'national' politics then there will be John O'Donoghue's throughout Ireland.

Without jumping to a conclusion that democracy doesn't work (as I have many years ago), how do we get around this issue?

mikemac1

Ah JOD

I remember when it was Minister for Sports, Arts and Tourism and he was free and easy with the money for Kerry projects.

His niece was selected Rose of Tralee.

It's a sure thing I said
JOD has so much pull down in Kerry, I even think he secured the money to build the venue.
Even if he does nothing the judges will feel obligated to the local minister.

Made a huge bet in the bookies and told everyone to get on

Bet lost
He failed me, the one time I needed him to be corrupt he let me down

I've gone way offtopic

Pride Fighter

raymon wrote: »

Have you been asleep for 30 years ? FF are the embodiment of backstabbery .!

Of course I know they are. But FF also play smart politics, hence they kept on getting re-elected time after time. If FF were to run 2 candidates for the Munster MEP elections there is a chance that they could win zero seats due to splitting the vote. FF will do everything they can to keep what they have.

raymon

Pride Fighter wrote: »

Of course I know they are. But FF also play smart politics, hence they kept on getting re-elected time after time. If FF were to run 2 candidates for the Munster MEP elections there is a chance that they could win zero seats due to splitting the vote. FF will do everything they can to keep what they have.

I agree with you there

My point is that FF have "back stabbed" Crowley already.

He believed he could win the presidency, but then they rang Gay Byrne ...... before covertly supporting a spoofing envelope collector.

Crowley had even gone on late night talk shows to declare his desire to run

Humiliating stuff

Pandora2

raymon wrote: »

I agree with you there

My point is that FF have "back stabbed" Crowley already.

He believed he could win the presidency, but then they rang Gay Byrne ...... before covertly supporting a spoofing envelope collector.

Crowley had even gone on late night talk shows to declare his desire to run

Humiliating stuff

Precisely what happened!! No love lost between Micheal & Crowley!