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TAOISEACH LEO VARADKAR has said that if an investigation into Dara Murphy’s expenses finds that he did break the rules, then he should pay the money back.
He also told reporters today that the Clerk of the Dáil should carry out the inquiry into the controversy.
Yesterday, the Taoiseach told the Dáil that the Standards in Public Office Commission (Sipo) could investigate the concerns relating to the former TD.
However, Sipo confirmed to TheJournal.ie that this is not the case as Murphy has ceased to be a TD. The Dáil’s Ethic Committee has also been ruled out for the same reason.
Murphy, formerly a Cork North Central TD, had faced criticism in recent weeks over reports around his attendance at Leinster House.
The Dáil Committee on Members’ Interests had been asked to examine whether or not Murphy breached ethics legislation by claiming his full allowance while he was largely absent from Dáil over the past two years.
“I think what should happen is there should be a proper investigation,” said Leo Varadkar.
“My view is that investigation should happen first, and if the investigation finds that he broke the rules, then absolutely he should it pay back, but my view is always due process and natural justice. You have an investigation and then you have an outcome, you don’t have an outcome, and then have an investigation,” he added.
The Taoiseach said questions have been raised about Murphy’s attendance and expenses.
“Those questions need to be answered. Dara Murphy has agreed to participate and cooperate with any investigation. I understand that he may not be able to have an investigation by the ethics committee, or by Sipo, as he’s now a former member of the Dáil, but it would be possible, for example, for the clerk with the Dail to carry out an investigation. I think something like that will be appropriate.
“I think there, there are two questions there. One is did Dara Murphy break the rules or not and that requires an investigation. I think there should be an investigation, he’s willing to cooperate with us,” said Varadkar.
“There’s a wider question as to whether the rules are too lax and they are too lax. I said that in the Dail yesterday, and as a consequence of that, I wrote to the Ceann Comhairle and also to the party leaders to suggest that we ask the Standards Commission or an independent body to come in and overhaul this regime, which I think is two lax and is open to abuse,” said the Taoiseach.
In a statement announcing his resignation on Tuesday, Murphy said he would “of course co-operate with any relevant statutory procedure that may be initiated.”
He added: “In addition, I would like to acknowledge and give thanks for the support I have received from so many people: the Taoiseach and the Fine Gael Party, at local and national level; my family; and most importantly I would like to thank the people of Cork North Central.”
Announcing his resignation, Murphy confirmed his intention to take up a €150,000 a year job in the European Commission.
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My solder balls haven’t given me any issues so far, but if they do. . I shall bring them into the doctor for a gander.
Hilarious.
This issue is old, not new, why is the journal reporting this, the iPhone 6 and 6 plus released 2 years ago. The touch issue first came up not long after that. Hardware and software problems with all technology, not sure why the journal seems to overly report on issues with apple products.
bit too defensive of Chinese made iPhone
The trick is not to be a sheep and use a product that doesnt have an apple logo.
Yes Gavin because non-Apple products never have problems? Unfortunately with the rapidity of modem product development and production cycles problems like this will arise from time to time no matter what the product or the supplier. As long as the manufacturer is reasonable and replaces the faulty product it isn’t a big deal.
Meh the trick is to buy electronics as cheaply as possible as it’s all made in sweatshops in China.
Or don’t have it in your back pocket.
my Sammy S5 has been in and out of pockets so many times without any problems…dont get an iphone..simple
@Gavin: Indeed
Solution: Buy a HTC.
Triied that. It broke in less than two months.
Broke,how? You buying the cheap models?
Hopefully Apple will go back to the glass and carbon fibre in the 5,5s been holding off upgrading as the six is no where near the same quality.
Carbon fibre?
Don’t touch one, with a bargepole.
stop or you will wake the isheep
My phone’s better than your phone.
Grow up.
But, my phone actually is better than your phone. Really.
Yep… I have been that Soldier… I’m just after getting my 4th iPhone 6+ over the last 10 weeks. The first one had this problem when within warranty and the 2 replacements developed the same problem (one within 3 weeks and one as soon as I turned the phone on). I was back and forth to Three with these replacements (turns out you don’t get new phones but refurbished ones).
Anyhow after 3 replacement phones and 8 weeks without a phone, I gave up on Three and went straight to Apple who have me a new phone (after a lot of back and forth).
Turns out this is an issue with the 6plus but not with 6S.
iPhones are useless. All upgraded models are just cosmetic now.
iPhones are not useless as my 6plus and iPhone 4 still work perfectly,And I have Andriod devices aswell.all depends on the users needs,and capabilities.
Ok Ken – But they are way over-hyped & over-priced.
The iShit strikes again.
Wouldn’t you be sickened after spending all that money
You’d be diseased
I have never had this issue with my iPhone 6plus(9.3.3)64gb wounded does it happen only on 16gb?
You wish the only difference is memory size everything else is the same
Have my 5s over 2 years ago & yes battery is poo in it but other then that I’m lucky it hasn’t given me any hassle apart from a weak wifi signal sometimes but few ppl have said it could be down to otterbox case but I kinda need to hold on to this for as long as I can so the case stays!
have your say