Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

A Cheann Comhairle, thank you for the opportunity you have afforded me to respond to the many issues and questions raised this afternoon. I have done my best to respond to each matter in a truthful and accurate way. It is the greatest of privileges to be a Member of the Oireachtas, to represent the constituents of Dublin Central and, above all, to contribute as a member of the Government to improving the lives of the people I serve. I have served under three taoisigh in three successive Governments. During that time, I hope I have made some difference - bringing our national finances to a point of surplus twice; resolving the international negotiation regarding our corporate tax rate; and supporting the workers and employers of our country during a pandemic.

This is not to excuse, and is certainly not to ignore, the sequence of events that the Dáil has just focused on, but it does remind me of the standards that I should have applied regarding these issues. The issues, that I am accountable for, are: failing to amend my election expenses in 2017 to the tune of €140 when the use of a corporate van became known to me; not taking the time to determine fully all of the facts around payments that were made for postering, which were not known to me at election time; and not being as involved in the details of the running of an election campaign as I should have been, with the consequences of those actions under electoral law. I was not fully aware of how every poster in my election campaign was put up, who did it and how, and I did not know exactly how that activity was being accounted for. I had understood that help to be on a voluntary basis. I did not ask further questions but I clearly should have. These are important matters and the Standards in Public Office Commission will consider them further.

While this is all that some in the Opposition will seek to define me by, it is not all that I have done while serving the constituents of Dublin Central and looking to provide a service to our country.

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