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SENATOR MARY ANN O’Brien is deeply unhappy her name is mentioned in an RTÉ documentary that alleges a host of wrongdoing among politicians failing to disclose business interests.
The programme found that O’Brien, who is an independent Senator, held a company directorship she failed to declare.
The same was the case for Senator Tom Sheehan (Fine Gael), and TDs Áine Collins (Fine Gael), Noel Grealish (independent) and Tom Barry (Fine Gael).
In the programme, due to be aired at 9.35pm on RTÉ One, it is stated that each of the TDs and Senators blamed the issue on administration errors or a lack of understanding of the rules.
A directorship has to be declared regardless of the company’s size and and trading status, and whether or not it is paid.
The programme also features undercover footage of a journalist posing as a wind farm investor seeking help from politicians. It shows three councillors agreeing to help in return for money, or in one case, a possible loan in the future.
‘A huge story of corruption and fraud’
O’Brien released a statement today, distancing herself from the programme.
“I must clarify the situation and express my hurt and frustration that such a simple error of mine would be tangled into a huge story of corruption and fraud to be unveiled by RTE’s Primetime tonight.
For the record, this scandal about councillors seeking out bribes has absolutely nothing to do with me, and as such my name should be nowhere near this story.
“This undeclared directorship I hold is in relation to MLOM Limited which is a company incorporated by Lily O Brien’s back in 2002. This company was set up as an arm of the main Lily O’Brien’s company for research and development purposes and the company has not been used since 2009, and is in fact in the final stages of being wound up, post the acquisition of Lily O’Brien’s in January 2014. As such, it is a loose end that I genuinely totally forgot about as MLOM Ltd has not been used for many years.
I have taken the necessary steps of informing the Seanad office of this Directorship of MLOM, which was a complete omission on my behalf. Nothing more, nothing less. And for that I apologise.
O’Brien said that she had been in touch with RTÉ and other media outlets “so that they can put this omission into proper context”.
TheJournal Politics / TwitterSen. Mary Ann O'Brien is not happy with the #rteinvestigates reporting of a directorship that she failed to declare pic.twitter.com/pRtGMrQ7zu
— TheJournal Politics (@TJ_Politics) December 7, 2015
“I am extremely shocked, frustrated and hurt that my good name has already been tagged onto this story in newspaper and radio reports today.
As a Senator, and as a proud founder of Lily O’Brien’s, as well as being a co-founder and director of the Jack & Jill Children’s Foundation my name, my reputation and my integrity are so important to me. Therefore I felt it was really important to seek clarity and context about this matter.
Earlier, a Monaghan councillor who was secretly recorded asking for £10,000 said he was “taking the piss out of RTÉ” by playing along with the sting operation.
Councillor Hugh McElvaney also claimed that he is being targeted by a “dirty tricks campaign” led by his former party Fine Gael.
RTÉ Investigates Standards in Public Office airs tonight at 9.35pm.
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everyday im shufflin’
“My new Nokia 6510 will be here today, it does texts and everything now”
he he he, ive got the golden ticket, jesus a camera, i was just about to click me heels an all, he he
I just can’t look at him long enough to figure it out. :-(
feckin’ botox hash me stuck like thish, ok think angry enda, think angry, doh!!
@Fergal Cantwell: Step away from the picture… enough from you already!
Fergal @ Best one yet ! Lol:) :)
Who’s your sexy daddy?
boom boom, i knew i was the daddy
Hope Ming got me sorted…..
ok, keep calm enda, got to get to the jacks
I bought this lovely new anorak thanks to the first few fools that paid the household charge….it’s all mine mine MINE MWAHAHAHA
This anorak has lots of lovely pockets for the brown envelopes. Zips as well to keep them safe………!
Wait til the wife realises i’ve taken the TV remote to work.
Now to Tax Confirmation and Communion money
chim chimeny, chim, chim cheroo
momma told me, there d be days like this
‘I’ve got the moves like Jagger’
We inherited Ireland’s financial woes from the previous government, just like I inherited this classy anorak from Bertie.
Doesn’t Mary have a lovely Bottom!!
ah now he’d be a bit more pc than that and would add “of course they all have lovely bottoms!” ya dont get to be taoiseach unless ur a bit diplomatic ;)
I’m a cute hoor………I’m a cute hoor……….I’m a cute hoor………I’m a cute hoor……….I’m a cute hoor………I’m a cute hoor……….I’m a cute hoor………I’m a cute hoor……….I’m a cute hoor………I’m a cute hoor……….
“This jacket with built in nipple warmers was the best present EVER”
“Oh crap hope that camera can’t see my german for dummies book”
Oh get me in there, I’ve missed the sound of Joan Burton’s voice.
When I was a teacher, in charge of 30 students I only worked 38 weeks out of the year. Now Im the Taoiseach in charge of 4 million people I only work 30 weeks in the year. Life is great.
“Huh,huh,huh what Paddy doesn’t know wont hurt Paddy huh,huh,huh”
“huh,huh,huh what Paddy doesn’t know won’t hurt Paddy huh,huh,huh”
Ha its nearly been a year now since I kicked those wasters out of government.
I just farted and there are no witnesses.
Lads– I’m suffering from Anoraksia Nervosa
Must check with Joan as when I qualify for a Taoiseach’s pension. Can’t be long now.
Whooos your sexy taoisigh?
sausages
I hope Eamon isn’t sitting in my chair and wearing my slippers again!!!
You know me Ted, the lights are on, but there’s nobody home…
I wonder will they ever bring back Mork and Mindy….that truly was a great programme
mmmm pensions :-)
I like turtles!!!
“The boys will be glad to get their hands on this 4000 page document on what we can blame previous administrations for”.
“Phil Hogan will be glad to get his hands on this list of householders I have in my left hand”
Shelia is back from maternity leave I feckin love how she does my eggs!!
Oh a camera… hmm… you’re vulnerable, you’re vulnerable.. you’re fierce – Glad i watched Top Model last night.
Iv just payed my household tax
Wehey Angela said i’m good boy!
“Tee hee hee…..I’ve got a great idea for the journals’ caption competition”
‘Glad I don’t have a private sector pension.’
Oh Sh1t a camera-man…. look happy for the people!!
La la la lalala, la lala la la (smurfs tune)
I wonder if I could get another go at those e voting machines to fix the euro referendum to pass
why is the fool using an ancient phone more embarrassment for us
Because if he was seen walking in with his bright new shiny iPhone 4S we’d all be saying – “look at yon gimp with the expensive smart phone, we’re probably paying his bills too”.
This way he is telling us that we’re all broke so an ancient nokia is all he can afford, the fact that we’re paying his bill regardless seems to have escaped him
Yes Dermot. Cos we do like to sweat the small stuff. Less than 2 weeks now to paying the bondholders. But the sheep worry about the price of his feicing phone!!!
I’m wearing the new tie my Mrs gave me for Christmas:-))
Bertie gave me this anorak for Christmas. Feck all in the pockets except empty envelopes though!
“Heigh ho, heigh ho, it’s back to work I go”
Seriously, I cant believe it get €200,000 a year for this!!
Jaysus! Penny’s does great Jackets!
It took me 5 point 0 minutes to think of how to fleece the country! Wahahahahaha!
Fracking
So how many people am I going to screw over this year.
Can’t wait for next years anniversary!
Im still in the driver seat after screwing the pensioners and passing the buck to the tax man Ha, Ha.
You don’t have to enjoy screwing the general public to work here but it helps!
i wanted an iphone for christmas….
I’m glad I got the revenue commissioners to handle this one
So have many people am I going to screw over this term.
i can do what i like and no one can stop me…foolish people
This anorak has lots of lovely zipped pockets for the brown envelopes.
After receiving a sizable ‘Political Donation’
“Oh hoh hoh.. . gonna get me that new boat!”
Oohh…where’s that spine I wanted to grow?
Five point caption…..
Lads, if what I’ve got in this portfolio is as interesting as what I think i just did in the seat of my trousers, the country’s in for another great year, ;D >>shifty eyes<<
Haa haa going to start the report cards on minsters. brillant
‘I haven’t read the Mahon Report, I haven’t read the Mahon Report, I haven’t read the Mahon Report, I haven’t read the Mahon Report, HONESTLY lads, I haven’t read the Mahon Report’.
Wait until those sneaky Frenchies find out we haven’t got two potatoes to rub together…
“I have my own five point plan..going to the dail bar hehehe”
I’ll show them no nonsence: there’ll be plenty of seach in their T tonight
Pensions do do be doobee, pensions, do dobee do, pensions, do do do dobee do dobee do dobee do do do do do do do……
Instead of phenomenon? Anybody?
Anglo Irish Bank.. not another Cent.
i love this job, The people of Ireland are so dumb hee hee.
“Do they think I’m going to work today, I’m off to lunch with the Troika”
Woohoo.. just rang the revenue and i’m not entitled to tax…..
Another Rat in an Anorak
Fronting the anti obesity campaign….
Snooooop dogy dog!
‘Hey journos, check out my austerity phone – no fancy schmancy iPhone for me’
bloody long drives reek havoc with my bladder. hope the feckin jacks is open.
“Waddaya think of the jacket boys?”
Do you like my big rosie cheeks? Do you ? I really would like to look like my friend Bosco11
The return of anorak politics, what next paddy the plasterer
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