Comments on: TD/Senate expenses 1998 – 2008

By: Neil Ward

Neil Ward — Wed, 23 Sep 2009 07:27:57 +0000

I'm definitely good for a few quid if you decide to go down the fundraising route, and I know a few others that would do likewise….

By: Niall T

Niall T — Thu, 17 Sep 2009 01:33:30 +0000

I'm good for a few bob also.

Of course your income and expenditure would have to be open and accountable :)

Ask for donations and see what comes of it.
Worst case scenario you give the money back.

By the way, thanks for the template FOI letter.

By: Green Energy

Green Energy — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 16:45:57 +0000

Commend you on this initiative Gavin and more than willing to make a donation if necessary. I'd strongly encourage you to submit a similar FOI application regarding the President's travel expenses (if possible?) – I think it might make a very interesting point of reference.

According to an article by Patsy McGarry a while back, he travelled with her on a state visit to Berlin and she flew with Aer Lingus, economy class. In this context Junket Johnny's exploits look even worse.

By: Roberto

Roberto — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 21:37:29 +0000

“All of the costs are paid, not to the Minister, but to the service provider…:” according to O Donoghue,s statement yesterday.

Not so. If you examine the detailed claims you will see repeated claims, and payments directly to John oDonoghue , his wife, and his Private Secretary.

So even his explanation is in conflict with the truth. Why does no journalist pick this up.

By: morgor

morgor — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 16:18:04 +0000

that was also the first thing i thought of.

I'd gladly chuck in a tenner to see those details.

perhaps ask a newspaper if they have ever asked for this information before, you would have thought that they would have, and that if they haven't they wouldn't mind stumping up some cash to find out too.

By: aisling

aisling — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 16:08:00 +0000

Hi Gavin,
This is my first time reading your blog (through a link from Twenty Major this morning) and this post immediately engaged me. My first reaction was the same as the other comments above – ask readers to make a contribution so that the burden of cost is not on one person for information which will be made available to many.
a

By: James

James — Sun, 13 Sep 2009 22:11:01 +0000

I would also be more than happy to make a contribution.

By: dahamsta

dahamsta — Sun, 13 Sep 2009 01:21:45 +0000

I'd be happy to make a small donation towards these costs, say €10 at the outset and more if you're not getting the numbers needed. If you haven't a PayPal account, get one set up and put a Donate button in your sidebar.

adam

By: wdf

wdf — Sat, 12 Sep 2009 14:49:15 +0000

Gavin – I agree. If enough cannot be raised to cover the full cost, start with the latest year and work backwards. Many of the 1998 mob will now be retired anyway.

It is essential that they understand you are not going away. Their game is to make this as drawn out and costly as possible in the hope that you will go away. They have to be made to understand that their days of creaming it will be exposed and that this country needs to be cleansed of this culture. And this applies to the civil servants as well as the politicos

I will contribute.

By: natrium1

natrium1 — Sat, 12 Sep 2009 12:51:46 +0000

Gavin,
I agree with Anthony, ask the readers to make a contribution, and pay the required amount. Then immediately seek legal advice on this extortion, and how to proceede with a legal challange, in a PUBLIC INTEREST case.
As far as I am aware, if you take a case against the government, in THE PUBLIC INTEREST, then regardless of the result, costs have to be paid by the State.
I for one would be happy to make a contribution to such a cause.

By: anthonysheridan

anthonysheridan — Sat, 12 Sep 2009 06:53:21 +0000

Suggestion off the top of my head Gavin. Ask readers to make a donation to cover the costs. If enough volunteer the nobody will be seriously out of pocket and the information will be available. I would certainly make a contribution.

Also, do you think the high cost could be a 'Shane Ross strategy' to put you off?