Donegal TD hits out at Public Expenditure Minister over election expenses

Donegal TD Pádraig Mac Lochlainn has accussed the Minister for Public Expenditure of trying to dodge questions over his handling of election expenses.

The Sinn Féin Chief Whip said that the Paschal Donohoe's 'dodging of questions' in the Dáil today on the controversy surrounding donation rules is an 'insult to the Dáil and to the public'.

Mr Donohoe has maintained that services provided by six people to his campaign did not meet the threshold required to be declared as a donation.

The services relate to putting up and taking down electoral posters, which he said he believed had been voluntary.

Opposition parties have formally requested the Ceann Comhairle to ask Paschal Donohoe to come before the Dáil at the earliest opportunity to make a full statement and to take questions on issues surrounding his declaration in respect of the 2016 General Election campaign.

Teachta Mac Lochlainn said: "Paschal Donohue's attempt to dodge Dáil questions today is an insult to the Dáil and the public, who rightly demand that politicians be held to the highest standards of accountability.

"The Minister's proposal to make a statement - but take no questions and answers - is a ploy to prevent the Opposition from adequately probing this matter in the public interest on the floor of the Dáil; a chamber that he is accountable to.

"This is not accountability to the Dáil and it is not acceptable. 

"We will challenge it vigorously in the Dáil on the resumption of business today."