John O’Donoghue is a cunt but he’s not the only one
Posted on | October 6, 2009 | 46 Comments
As more and more details emerge of the funded-by-others lifestyle John O’Donoghue emerge the more untenable his position becomes.
Frankly, he should resign. Not a doubt about it. He has taken the absolute piss, he’s been found out, and no matter what he’s got to say for himself it’s not good enough. Of course there are those who say his appearance in front of the Oireachtas Committee he himself is chairman of is unlikely to be much use to anyone but him. And they’d probably be right.
But isn’t it interesting that the only person calling on him to resign is Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin of Sinn Fein? The Ceann Comhairle must have the support of both sides of the house, so if Kenny and Gilmore stopped fannying around suggesting he should ‘consider his position’ and simply demand his resignation then O’Donoghue, no matter how brass his neck or how big his balls, would be fucked.
They’re not though. The obvious reason, to me at least, is that neither Gilmore or Kenny can be 100% sure that all their party members are not guilty of the same kind of expenses fiddling. How much egg would they have on their faces if they demanded O’Donoghue do the ‘honourable’ thing only to discover one of their own at the same thing? And I’d say the odds on finding more expense fiddling TDs aren’t that long at all.
So while rightly there’s focus on John O’Donoghue at the moment there’s the danger of not seeing the wood for the trees. He should pay the price for his behaviour but he shouldn’t be the only one. There’s the classic example of the Fine Gael TDs, a married couple, who each claimed expenses for an overnight stay in Dublin. Perhaps not against the rules but symptomatic of the culture of entitlement these people have. And it is a culture at every level of politics. Cute hoorism, brown envelopery and back-handers. It has to stop. We shouldn’t have to put up with the likely lads and lassies anymore.
As long as TDs can claim unvouched expenses there will be abuse of the system. I’m sure there are decent politicians who do not gild their own lillies with expenses, but I’m just as sure there are plenty who made up the 10% pay cut they took with expenses claims. And when you don’t have to show reciepts and can claim on a multitude of levels it’s as easy as pie to get quids-in.
The O’Donoghue stuff has taken weeks and weeks of investigation, FOI requests, painstaking research and lots more to expose get to this point. So while I’d love to suggest every single member of Dáil Eireann have their expenses scrutinised the same way it’s probably impossible. Which is a shame.
What has to happen though is a complete review of the expenses system. And not by the Minister for Finance or any other politician. It has to be an independent body. Firstly expenses must be vouched. Every single penny claimed has to be accounted for with reciepts, bills or whatever. No exceptions.
TDs should be made clock in and out of the Dail like factory workers. If they don’t like it, tough shit. They’re paid with our money, they should do what we want, not what they want. Claiming an ‘overnight stay’ in Dublin because the Dail was sitting? Prove you were there.
It needs to look at the list of things that TDs can claim expenses for. I’ve been trying to find a list somewhere but haven’t been able to. I’m quite sure many of them are out of date or frivolous at best. Overhaul it. If you’re paid €160,000+ a year then you buy your own lunch like everyone else. We shouldn’t pay your salary and have to feed you too.
If it means more work for TDs, fine. If it means TDs ending up ‘out of pocket’ because they’ve misplaced the petrol reciept or they forgot to clock in, fine. By any standards these men and women are extraordinarily well paid politicians, the public has an absolute right to know what they do, how they do it, how much it costs them to do it and so on. It is OUR money they’re paid with, after all.
As well as that the expenses they claim each year should be made public without anybody having to make an FOI request or having to pay for the information. And this has to happen quickly, otherwise public mistrust of their elected officials will continue and will worsen. Because as long as the unvouched system continues we can’t trust any of them (bar the very odd one or two who make public their expenses). As long as the unvouched system continues I’m going to think they’re all at it. Why should I think any different?
So while John O’Donoghue is making the headlines you can be sure there are plenty of others biting their nails hoping the surface doesn’t get too scratched. If there was a way of exposing every single on of them I’d be all for it.
Failing that though we have to implement change, a simple solution to a big problem.
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46 Responses to “John O’Donoghue is a cunt but he’s not the only one”
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October 6th, 2009 @ 3:15 pm
Yep, bet the whole lot of them are afraid of having their expenses looked into, should be all public anyway. they are major pisstaker.
October 6th, 2009 @ 3:33 pm
As my dear old Granpappy used to say ‘Willfull waste is woefull want’ or something like that.
October 6th, 2009 @ 3:34 pm
Ah Twenty, the ironic thing about common sense is that it’s not common at all.
What you’re saying is spot on but who would force it through as law? What public or private entity has that kind of leverage with the entire Dáil, no member of which would want any part of it?
Ideally it should be the electorate but we Irish have shown again and again that we’re fuck all use at forcing political reckonings. We’ll still vote for the same shitehawks no matter how corrupt or incompetent they’ve proven themselves to be. The legal, media and business establishments are all in bed with the ruling party and their all using the Irish taxpayer as their communal bedpan.
It will never happen (although it should) because nobody who counts would be interested.
October 6th, 2009 @ 3:56 pm
I suppose they’re looking to scapegoat JOD and leave the rest well enough alone so they can keep on creaming the expenses.
And if nobody else wants to do it, I will. Then they’d be sorry.
October 6th, 2009 @ 3:58 pm
Yup, he’s the lightening rod at the moment, but you can be sure there’s a whole raft of TDs and ministers with the same disregard for their unvouched financial spending. He’s the cherry on the top, but by no means the fully body of the rotten pie.
October 6th, 2009 @ 4:02 pm
>But isn’t it interesting that the only person
>calling on him to resign is Caoimhghín Ó
>Caoláin of Sinn Fein?
Ruairí Quinn has also called for him to resign
http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/ireland/2009/0926/1224255283459.html
He did a little bit of a side pedal last night, something about this being a personal position and Gilmore/the party proposing an alternate option (tar and feathers hopefully).
October 6th, 2009 @ 4:07 pm
Yeah, i can’t believe they’re on salaries of hundreds of thousands and still are allowed to expense everything.
fuck them.
October 6th, 2009 @ 4:14 pm
Paschal – and look at the coverage it was given. A snippet.
October 6th, 2009 @ 4:15 pm
morgor – yeah, why should we be able to claim expenses? We all have them.
October 6th, 2009 @ 4:17 pm
Brenda Howlin (Lab, depty dawg to the ceann comhairle) has been dining with him, expensively.
Did I tell you the yarn I heard about J Healy Rae (JO’D's constituency opposition) he qualifies for the free travel on the train, because of his age. But – and I am sure it must not be true – it has been alleged that he claims for the travel, even though he doesn’t pay for a ticket.
October 6th, 2009 @ 4:20 pm
Cute hoorism, Conan. Wouldn’t surprise me in the slightest.
October 6th, 2009 @ 4:33 pm
SF. nothing to hide – I was going to say no bodies buried but that would be just too silly – Aengus O’Snodaigh and Niall Binead, Northern Bank Robbery, cough, Cough
October 6th, 2009 @ 4:35 pm
No paper trail there though, maggot.
October 6th, 2009 @ 4:39 pm
Except for the hapless Aengus Twenty . That had to be the best story ever –
Ring ring
“Hello Gardai, This is Aengus O’Snodaigh , I hear you arrested some men connected to me, was Naill Binead one of them ? ”
“No, not yet, but thanks for the tip sir”
October 6th, 2009 @ 4:40 pm
Is it true that elected SF’ers give their salaries to the party and then get a smaller wage back from them? I can’t remember where I heard that.
October 6th, 2009 @ 4:41 pm
McVeigh solution?
October 6th, 2009 @ 4:45 pm
Naw, Thrifty
“And if nobody else wants to do it, I will. Then they’d be sorry.”
T for Twendetta
October 6th, 2009 @ 4:46 pm
Allegedly so Git – but they are allowed to keep perks and side-income – How do you think Gerry can afford his Donegal Dacha ?
October 6th, 2009 @ 5:24 pm
“while I’d love to suggest every single member of Dáil Eireann have their expenses scrutinised the same way it’s probably impossible. Which is a shame”
Why not I say. htese feckers are a joke. the money they are paid is obscene and there must be more accountability. If a Garda or a Prison officer fiddled his expenses he would face a CRIMINAL investigation. Will the Bull? to paraphrase one of his builder mates ” like fuck he will”.
In France or America he would be investigated and prosecuted.
We are a young democracy and are only developing but the sad thing is that the BULL will be fecked out of FF, stand as an independent and be returned on the top of the poll by the peeple of Kerry. Look at the peeple of Tipp have done with the snake Lowry…
Skullduggers not Politicians…
October 6th, 2009 @ 5:28 pm
Very eloquently put there, Twenty and you are absolutely right in everything you say.
But the rest of the Dail tossers don’t want a situation where they can’t bring the missus (or mistress) on all-expenses-paid junkets without the bleedin’ taxpayer moaning.
Or not to be able to employ their families and relations.
Let he who is without sin cast the first vote…
October 6th, 2009 @ 5:57 pm
Just look at what was reported in the UK today, about the Boris Johnson’s former deputy for misusing his expenses. A 12 week suspended sentence, and a shit load of community service.
http://uk.news.yahoo.com/21/20091006/tuk-mayor-s-ex-deputy-misused-expenses-6323e80.html
Whilst I’m not saying the British political system is perfect by any stretch, however this gives an example of someone being held accountable for their misuse of public money.
This fucker JOD won’t resign and he won’t be forced to resign, as the political leaders in this country are spinless Cunts and lack any leadership.
These politicans are the guys who have taken the higher moral ground with the bankers, when in fact they are being hypocrites (granted on a much smaller scale, but hypocrites nonetheless)
A thief is a theif, be it white collar or blue collar and shouldn’t have any class distinction. Pack of Cunts!
October 6th, 2009 @ 6:04 pm
The Beverly Flynn thing was indicative that the system needed radical reform.
October 6th, 2009 @ 6:25 pm
Speaking of Cunts, where has the old looker Beverly been hiding???
I suppose god wasn’t in form for giving out looks when he was giving out genes in the cute hoors pool.
Have you ever noticed that our political establishment is full of ugly Cunts!
October 6th, 2009 @ 6:30 pm
If I had my own party I’d throw anyone out who isn’t satisfied with 40-50 k a year tops. Surely, ye would think they go into politics to actually make a change instead of seeing it as a cushty career option.
October 6th, 2009 @ 6:41 pm
well said Twenty!!You’re talents are wasted……I think “Twentymajor anti-cunt party” has a great future!!
October 6th, 2009 @ 7:22 pm
Gilmore and Kenny have called for JOD to resign.
Looks like they’ve scoured the closets for skeletons and come up clean.
This should be fun.
October 6th, 2009 @ 7:23 pm
The Beverly Flynn thing was indicative that the system needed radical reform.
The Beverly Flynn thing was indicative that she needed to be shot in the face, the monstrous geebag.
October 6th, 2009 @ 7:34 pm
Looks like he is on the way out. Hope he gets a nice big payoff to soften the blow to his massive pension. Poor John.
October 6th, 2009 @ 7:44 pm
Maggot’s rule – no person related to a Politician should be eligible for election.
October 6th, 2009 @ 7:49 pm
On the plus side – That Carroll Cunt looks well and truely shafted!
October 6th, 2009 @ 7:55 pm
Well, it seems that Eamon Gilmore is without sin. And fair play to ya, Twenty. Your blog was obviously the straw that broke the Bull’s back.
Now kick him in the nuts.
October 6th, 2009 @ 8:45 pm
Twenty Major Says:
October 6th, 2009 at 7:23 pm
The Beverly Flynn thing was indicative that the system needed radical reform.
The Beverly Flynn thing was indicative that she needed to be shot in the face, the monstrous geebag.
she also has a 2000 dollar handbag. people put number 1 down for beverly cooper flynn. it makes me very worried about life. she’s a class act alright.
October 6th, 2009 @ 9:48 pm
wouldn’t it be marvelous if he was put in prison. and several others after an extensive report. and they’re finances recovered by the CAB . . . oh in a perfect world…
October 6th, 2009 @ 9:52 pm
Sharing a cell with Rapey O’Headbiter
October 6th, 2009 @ 10:45 pm
Interesting point about the CAB, I think politicans and their offspring who have benefited from ill gotten gains, such as the Haughey, Flynn should have their assets seized by the CAB as like other criminals.
As I understand it, no criminal conviction is needed to recover monies. Why are politicans treated any different from criminals in the pursuit of ill gotten gains? Why have they gone after the generals assets after his death, and not Haugheys? Pack of Cunts!
October 6th, 2009 @ 11:28 pm
Do away with expenses altogether. Not like they’re not paid enough, and why subsidise country folk just because they chose to live in the country?
October 7th, 2009 @ 12:04 am
in a snippet from the Bertie Autobiography at the weekend he talked of being on the fifth floor with other new td’s one of whom was Pee Flynn. He turned up in a white suit. Bertie quoted Haughey as saying “would somebody tell that gobshite that this is Dail Eireann, not the fecking Circus” made me laugh..
Good well balanced reporting for once major by the way, if Cowen has any balls now he will implement a fully transparent expenses system. It could even save him…
October 7th, 2009 @ 12:59 am
If he resigns would that necessitate a general election as I understand things are finely balanced numbers wise in the Dail ?
October 7th, 2009 @ 1:07 am
He’s announced he is going
http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/breaking/2009/1006/breaking67.htm
October 7th, 2009 @ 3:36 am
Can’t believe he’s resigning. Wasn’t he in Fianna Fail? Those cunts wouldn’t resign if they raped somebody…
October 7th, 2009 @ 3:53 am
I think someone must have made him an offer he could not refuse.
October 7th, 2009 @ 9:50 am
Rapey O’Headbiter
Hehehe
October 7th, 2009 @ 10:09 am
…and if the greens grow some balls over the weekend and em… pull out of government… Johnny-boy will still be automatically re-elected.
October 7th, 2009 @ 11:04 am
Well said Twenty, when i moved here from Embra 8 years ago i was amazed that political figures got away with basically robbin the public purse.
The whole loveable rogue thingy seemed to excuse em.
Take em ootside, somewhere very public an tan the cunts arses wi a stick.
Make the robbin ugly cunts poay back every penny, make sure they dinnae get their big fat hoor o a pension.
If any ordinary Joe Soap got caught at this, their life would be rightly fucked.
This ugly money hungry fat cunt should have his life rightly fucked
October 7th, 2009 @ 9:14 pm
Will Major retract ?
” O’Donoghue ‘a fine politician’ – Ahern ”
http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/breaking/2009/1007/breaking80.htm
October 8th, 2009 @ 10:29 pm
please do not insult CUNTS. Cunts are lovely, they are lickable fuckable and give us pleasure. Fianna Fail are like Dildos they just fuck us, and the Dildo O’Donohoe is getting €125,000 for resigning he should be fucked into the Joy like that prick from Fas wiil be for fraud