Sign in. It’s quick, free and it’s up to you.
An account is an optional way to support the work we do. Find out more.
THE DÁIL’S MEMBERS Interests Committee has become the third body to state that it does not have the power to investigate complaints about former Fine Gael TD Dara Murphy.
The Dáil committee met this morning to consider a complaint by Fianna Fáil whip Michael Moynihan that Murphy’s attendance record and expenses be investigated.
However, today the committee determined that it cannot investigate the complaint as Murphy is no longer a TD.
Other than the committee, the Standards in Public Office (Sipo), as well as the Clerk of the Dail have stated that they do not have the jurisdiction to investigate.
A spokesperson for the Houses of the Oireachtas said in a statement to TheJournal.ie:
“The Clerk of the Dáil has no jurisdiction in this matter. DPER [Department of Public Expenditure and Reform] make the regulations and we implement them.”
Meanwhile, Sipo confirmed to TheJournal.ie that as Murphy has ceased to be a TD they cannot investigate.
The Standards watchdog also noted that the Dáil’s Ethic Committee is also ruled out for the same reason.
Murphy, formerly a Cork North Central TD, has faced criticism in recent weeks over reports around his attendance at Leinster House.
The former minister of State has been based in Brussels for the past two years where he has worked as full-time director of elections for the European People’s Party (EPP). Fine Gael is a member of the EPP, a political grouping in the European Union.
Questions have been raised about Murphy working in Brussels while also being a sitting TD in the Dáil. Questions have also been raised about how Murphy has been in Leinster House on 24 sitting days out of 70 in the first nine months of 2019 and just 42 of the 104 sitting days during 2018.
Last week, the Taoiseach stated that Murphy is willing to fully comply with any inquiry, and floated the idea of the three bodies mentioned carrying out an inquiry.
Speaking to reporters today, Varadkar said: “I can’t prescribe which competent authority should [carry out the investigation], but I think there should be an investigation.”
He added that if this investigation found that Murphy broke the rules, he “absolutely” should return any money he should not have received.
Varadkar said he “certainly could have” asked Murphy to resign from this role, but he chose not to do so.
Finance Minister Paschal Donohoe has said he will work with the Houses of the Oireachtas to develop “another adequate way” in which the questions around the expenses of Murphy can be dealt with.
To embed this post, copy the code below on your site
laughing all the way to the bank
@Paul Garvey: oh he must have the goods on the whole place…
@Paul Garvey: was just about to post that lol you beat me to it, dam u ha
@Paul Garvey: How is it that no Statutory Body can investigate Dara Murphy but the ordinary Jo Soap the statutory bodies would be lining up to bring him down what a load of hyprocrites
@Marian O Donnell: stand up mr Vradker and lead like you are paid to do.
If you don’t decide as leader the best authority to deal with this rip off of working peoples tax money what message does that give to everyone else?
If this scrounger had claimed a fraction of what he has stolen from us as a dole cheat he would be before the courts already.
This will be the issue that won’t go away for FG if they don’t deal with it swiftly.
@john doe: Nothing will happen. The “system” will make sure of that. It’s a pure waste of time trying to fight it.
Y’all be good law abiding citizens now while we bend the rules, squander your taxes with no consequences and laugh in your faces.
@Shakka1244: They have a brass neck, you think they would be embarrassed but yet they are so use to it by now that they hope time will cure it. But you think that the EU would be more moral to refuse this man a job with them but it seems that they are proud of looking like corrupt group as well?
Eh Paschal Donoghue he took money under false pretences why not try the Gardai to investigate.
@Karen Delaney: It seems these days many Gardaí are being investigated themselves as well???
Removing his passport would soften his cough.
@Martin Peter Leo would probably send the air Corp out to bring him home after all he is an Irish Citizen just like he brought Lisa Smith Home
This should be the catalyst for people to change their vote once and for all, along with the printer fiasco, the health crisis, the homelessness…..need I go on?
@Mary Walshe: except they are ALL the same.
@MiseBean: no, you’ll find THEY are not.
Surely his new employer, the European Commission, required a reference from previous employer? They would have noted his “poor work ethic” and propensity for corruption
@DaveevaD: Probably wrote is own reference on Dail Headed Paper
@DaveevaD: Makes you think of… I scratch your back and you scratch mine?
Accountability… Nah…. Just run.
Hope all ye ffg ring kissers remember this when the elections come around..weigh up the good with the bad and I can bet ye the bad list will be a hell of a lot bigger!! WE ARE BEING SOLD DOWN THE RIVER IN A SINKING BOAT!!!
@Craig Clancy: you might be expecting too much. The ffg voters can’t remember what they had for breakfast.
This becomes more of a joke every day
FFG, The Untouchables.
So they are now waving the green flag for other to do them as there is no consequence, or should I say continue to do what they are doing. Them must be laughing their heads off, raising a toast with the most expensive bottle of champagne then ofcourse claiming back for it. This is why it annoys me, people complaining about people on social welfare.
And this friends is a perfect example of what is wrong with Ireland today.
In any organisation the culture determines behaviour and culture can only be changed from the top.
In irish public service the culture trickling down from the top starting in the Dail is one of no responsibility or accountability and get whatever you can for yourself. Until this is sorted out from the top down our civil and public services will never be effective.
The EU think he is the best person for the job no wonder England want to leave they have enough of the gravy train and chancers out there.
They are laughing at the public, all the way to the bank.
@@mdmak33: It is their nature because its their parties nature especially when they have a history of it because the public lets them away with it every time.
Varadkar should return his salary as he’s receiving it under false pretensions.
I’ll do it so.
Surprise surprise but what Law did he break
They make laws to suit themselves
What a country
Protecting the boys in the club
Middle finger to us all. Must be taking lessons from big phil.
It’s the new version of Murphy’s Law!!! Make sure your watchdogs have no teeth!!!!
Beyond corrupt
He should not have special privileges because he TD he committed fraud so therefore he should be investigated
So who’s left to investigate?
“Sneaky Murphy “ Confidence trickster, they should make a tv show about. ..
Corrupt to the core the lot of them, merry Xmas my ass
@Anthony Murphy: I pray god it’s their last
He has a face you just want to punch……
Surely the Gardai have a white coller crime section. But what fascinates is that our so called watchdog committees are toothless. Hope we’re not paying them also
Criminals
Fraudsters
Embezellers
Thieves
That’s Ireland no accountability for anything unless of course you don’t play a TV licence and your Carbon taxes like a good little boy.
have your say