Ceann Comhairle
To each Member of Dail Eireann,
11 September 2009
Dear Deputy,
Iam writing to you and to our other colleagues in the Dail in the context of recent extensive media
coverage concerning costs incurred by me as an office holder.
Much of that coverage has also included strong criticism of my decision not to make any public
‘comment or statement on these matters.
When you elected me in 2007 to the position of Ceann Comhairle, 1 was chosen, as a member of a
“House of public representatives” (as the Constitution describes Dail Eireann) on the basis that I
would be an impartial Chairman of Dail Eireann holding office under the Constitution,
‘The importance of having an impartial Chairman of Dail Eireann who stands back from matters of
public and party controversy is reflected in the Constitution itself in the form of provision for
automatic re-election, One of my predecessors, in September, 1994, ruled that “the Ceann
Comhairle is the neutral officer in the House who is impartial and should be seen to be above
polities and controversy”.
Save from making representations in my capacity as a public representative and from forwarding
representations made to me to office holders (whose function it is to deal with those representations),
Thave carefully refrained from becoming involved in party or national controversy. This has been the
position since my election as Ceann Comhairle and is in accordance with the well established
tradition of my predecessors.
For these reasons, it simply would not be proper, however tempting, for me, whether inside the
House or outside the House, to become involved in public debate conceming my previous roles as
Minister. Nor would it be proper for me to become involved in matters of public controversy
conceming Departments for which, as Minister, Ihave had previous accountability to Dail Eireann,
‘The Department of Arts, Sport and Tourism issued a statement in response to the media comment
and criticisms which have been recently published. I do not propose to add to it or to comment on it
and enclose a copy for your information.
| want to reassure you that I have at all times acted in good faith and with probity. As Members who
have been office holders will be aware the incurring of costs by Ministers and office holders is a
Dail Eireann Email:
Dublin 2 ceann.comhairle@oireachtas.ie
Tel: 01 618 3343 Website:
Fax: 01618 4100, www.ceanncomhairle.iestandard and common feature of holding such offices. This has been the case for decades. Such
costs are incurred and paid in compliance with a statutory framework. The provision of underlying
services is arranged, organized and audited, on their behalf, in accordance with well established
procedures that include independent arrangements in respect of the review of and accountability for
those costs. Moreover, and most importantly, all of these costs are paid, not to the Minister or office
holder, but to the service provider.
‘Travel Expenditure as Ceann Comhairle
As regards recent media comment and criticism of travel undertaken by me as Ceann Comhairle, 1
would ask you to bear in mind the following.
It has, as you know, long been recognised that the Ceann Comhairle, as Chairman of Dail Kireann,
is the main representative of the Oireachtas, our parliament, in the outside world and in its relations
with other parliamentary institutions.
Foreign travel undertaken from the Houses of the Oireachtas by the Ceann Comhairle is either in
response to an official invitation as Ceann Combairle or in his capacity as Chairman of the Irish
Parliamentary Association and as part of Ireland’s obligations to be present at and to take part in
Inter Parliamentary Union events.
Ireland has been a member of the Inter Parliamentary Union since 1928. The Ceann Comhairle has
represented the Houses of the Oireachtas and led Inter Parliamentary delegations at foreign events
since then.
Itis standard practice throughout the Inter Parliamentary Union that the speaker of a parliament is
treated with the same level of courtesy as a Minister of Government. Items of expenditure including
use of lounges, courtesy cars or security are the customary courtesies that we provide whenever we
host an incoming parliamentary delegation to Ireland. When the Ceann Comhairle travels abroad,
the arrangements are made in keeping with whatever is recommended by the hosts, giving due
regard to criteria such as security and proximity to the venues for conferences or meetings.
Reform
You will be well aware of the issue of reform in respect of parliamentary costs which is of ever
greater importance in the current economic climate as everyone in the House fully appreciates. In
particular, you will be aware that I have been at the forefront of efforts by colleagues to reform our
procedures, particularly in relation to costs. In that regard, all aspects (and I emphasise all) of costs
are being examined on an ongoing basis. Earlier this year, the Houses of the Oireachtas
Commission, of which I am Chairman, produced a set of proposals which will result in an overall
saving of up to €4 million in the running of the Oireachtas and outlined an initiative to reform
members’ costs by introducing a single all-encompassing allowance. This is to be verified by
members’ attendance, with deductions for non-attendance.
Given the State’s current financial situation, I believe we all share in common the view that as
Public Representatives, we should give a lead in ensuring that greater transparency and economy are
achieved.Thad not intended to draw any attention to the fact that I unilaterally and voluntarily took a 10%
reduction in my salary since October, 2008. But I feel that you should be aware of it in the context
of the recent media coverage to which I have referred.
As Ceann Comhairle, I have dedicated myself to achieving efficiency in the running of our modern
democratic institutions and to doing so in a transparent and open way. This is designed to enhance
public confidence in the democratic system and to increase public trust for parliament, politics and
politicians.
As T have mentioned, the nature of the position of Ceann Combairle as impartial Chairman of Dail
Eireann under the Constitution prevents me from becoming embroiled in public controversy in the
‘media or on the floor of the House.
This is why I am writing to you personally to assure you that, despite these constraints and the
natural desire to cross swords with critics in my own defence, I intend to uphold the very high
standards rightly expected of the holder of the office of Ceann Comhairle. I will therefore refrain
from becoming involved in public debate and public controversy in my own defence in response to
the recent media comment and criticism concerning me.
1 intend to work with you and all of my colleagues, in a dedicated and impartial way, to pursue
reform and efficiency in the functioning of our democracy and, in particular, our parliamentary
institutions.
assure you that I will at all times endeavour to act in good faith and with probity as I have always
sought to do in the past.
Conclusion
Finally on a personal level, I wish to acknowledge that some of the costs incurred appear high. I
sincerely regret, in so far as T am concerned, that some of these high costs occurred, although a
Minister or an office-holder would not be apprised of such expenditure at this level of detail either
on an ongoing basis or at all in fact. It has to be borne in mind also that while some costs of the
arrangements appear high and have caused disquiet, they were legitimate and in accordance with the
Department of Finance guidelines.
In considering the extent of the costs, I am of course concemed but equally determined to ensure
that, in future, such costs are reduced to the minimum and most reasonable level attainable. We all
eam from the events of the past and I commit myself to ensuring that this costs level does not recur
in so far as I am concerned.
Kind regards,
Yours sincerely,
‘O’Donoghue
-ann Comhairle