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MICHEÁL MARTIN has stated that he is “satisfied” with Paschal Donohoe’s explanation over undeclared election donations and looks forward to hearing him address the Dáil on Tuesday.
Donohoe has faced scrutiny for the past week over an undeclared election donation from businessman Michael Stone, who paid for election posters of Donohoe to be erected in 2016 and bought Fine Gael ‘superdraw’ tickets from the minister in 2020 and 2021.
Speaking on RTÉ’s This Week programme, the Tánaiste said:
“He himself has decided to go back into the House, he made a decision last week. And he wants to give a comprehensive account to respond to questions that individual deputies may have.”
When asked if he had any questions to ask Donohoe, Martin answered:
“He spoke to me over the weekend. I’m satisfied with what he has said to me. In the context of he not being aware of what happened in terms of the erection of his posters, I am satisfied with that explanation.”
“I think he’s going to give really comprehensive account of all of that. And again, there has been, in my view, a misleading representation made by the opposition in respect of that point. And I think, again, it’s ultimately for SIPO to determine this.”
Martin was pushed by the show’s host Justin McCarthy on the possibility of Donohoe resigning in order to prevent the current controversy from distracting from his ministerial work.
“We’ve had controversies in the past, around Dara Calleary, around Frances Fitzgerald, around Alan Shatter, around Barry Cowen, although in each of those cases they were subsequently cleared afterwards, they did resign their positions,” McCarthy said.
“Should Paschal Donohoe do the same?” Martin was asked.
“No, he should not. In this instance the government has remained totally focused,” the Tánaiste replied.
“I think the idea that just because an issue arises and is debated in the House, and is disputed, that in itself isn’t the basis for resignation.”
Martin added that he had confidence in Donohoe who he believed had made a “significant contribution” to the government.
Martin also condemned the serious assault of a Garda that took place during an arrest in Santry yesterday.
The Garda was hospitalised with severe injuries to his hand, while a man has been charged in connection with the incident.
“An Garda Síochána is the physical manifestation of the protection of our democracy. There will be stronger legislation to be debated in the House in a matter of weeks that would bring in much stronger mandatory sentencing for people who attack An Garda Síochána,” he said.
“The minister will engage with the representative bodies. And we certainly give very strong consideration in terms of the establishment of a taskforce in respect of assaults on An Garda Síochána.”
“And also assaults on other members of frontline services, including transport workers, bus drivers, and people working in our transport services, I do think we do need to reflect on that,” he added.
Martin was also asked about the continuation of cost of living supports and the reduced VAT rate on gas and electricity bills, which are due to expire at the end of March.
“We don’t anticipate a total cliff edge, we will give this serious consideration in the coming weeks,” the Tánaiste said, adding that the government also needed to plan for the autumn and winter.
“There is a strong likelihood, an unfortunate situation that the war is going to continue into Ukraine.”
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Of course he would. He should take note of the people on the streets yesterday if he is a serious political person but we sll know he is in it for the Money and pension
Ah well that’s it so, our revered Tánaiste has spoken.
He’d no problem sacking Barry Cowen for refusing to answer questions in the Dail
Weakest FF leader ever
Anything about why the donator then got a job with the government appointed Land Development Agency
@paul starrs: it was an unpaid position
@Patrick O Connell: Jesus Christ how daft are you altogether..
@jim dee: Unbelievable at this stage how these party followers refuse to see what to the rest of us is blatant cronyism.
Maybe Patrick was thrown a bone?
@jim dee: Paddy is pretty daft alright. A firm believer of anything FF and FG.
You’re dead right Michael he should be questioned by the police for corruption
Laughable when we remember how much FF and FG hated each other. Now they’re in bed together and it’s all buddies and pals. Oh well, roll on the general election. Change required.
@Stephen Deegan: Change to another bunch of corrupt wasters? This lot now are only in the halfpenny place compared to Johnson and his cronies over there! We are probably quite lucky to have what we’ve got?
@Chris Avison: I suppose we’d be lucky to have what we’ve got if there wasn’t an ongoing housing catastrophe that hasn’t been brought under any type of control since the government was installed. Or we’d be lucky with what we’ve got if people weren’t dying for the want of a hospital bed. I could go on and on. We’re not lucky Chris, we’re saddled with this crowd. Although even this gang makes the Tories in the UK look professional, and that’s not saying much!
@Chris Avison: are you actually serious? Us lucky ?
@Chris Avison: per capita no way, our lot way ahead.
@Chris Avison: that’s what pee wee Flynn said for Christ sake.
Shower of changers FF. And FG
He will do anything for power two corrupt party
Should all go. One questionable guy defending another. Nearly as bad as the Tories in U K
This is an intentional provocation of social unrest. Occam’s razor.
That’s that so.Smithers has spoken.
Bet Martin has done was worse just hasn’t bees found out yet. Think he was caught with some dodgy money in his or his wife’s account. He’s another Bertie,!all crooks
But but but but Sinn Fein
Let’s see how he will deal with the fallout from that tragic murder in Cork Mercy Hospital.
He obviously thinks the tribunals never happened.
He is dead right. It was a storm in a teacup from the beginning!
@Chris Gaffney: Pascal O’Donoghue certainly doesn’t think so. Martin’s political life depends on FG. If a person makes a mistake concerning revenue or social welfare an apology would not be acceptable. This government has made more apologies than the Catholic Church.
@Chris Gaffney: You party boys are hilarious.
Paddy the ould eegit will never die.
Paschal is by far the best Finance Minister we have had for a long time. I’m no FFG fan but this is clearly another pathetic attempt by the opposition to cause a fuss when there are legitimately hundreds of other things I’m more concerned about than an election donation.
@Adam: It I’d the duty of the opposition to hold the government to account. When last in opposition Martin and FF kept Varadkar and FG in power with a confidence and supply agreement. Bit hypocritical don’t you think when now Martin and Varadkar criticise the opposition for asking questions.
The Clash had a song about this sort of mess.
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