21 October 1999 Edition
Strip Haughey's privileges, says Ó Snodaigh
Aengus Ó Snodaigh, the Sinn Féin candidate for the Dublin South Central by-election, which takes place on Wednesday next, 27 October, has called for Charles Haughey to be stripped of all the benefits he gets as a former Taoiseach.
These include his state pension as an ex-minister and ex-Taoiseach, his free Mercedes limousine and driver, along with his personal round-the-clock security team that costs the taxpayer over £100,000 a year.
``Mr Haughey has proven himself to have been completely untrustworthy to have ever held the office of Taoiseach,'' Ó Snodaigh said. ``All the scandals and tribunals that he has been involved in have highlighted that his entire political career was motivated by personal financial greed. The taxpayers shouldn't be used to keep the wolf from the millionaire Haughey's mansion door.
``While the government refuses point-blank to recognise the nurses' just claim for fair treatment; they continue to pay Haughey what amounts to a yearly wage of three staff nurses.''
The Sinn Féin candidate added:
``There is an uncomfortable link between Haughey's corrupt past and the government of today. If the present government wants to retain any semblance of credibility it must close this chapter of `cute hoorism' and open a new one of transparency and accountability.
``Mr Haughey must not be given the benefit of privilege. He committed multiple crimes of tax evasion and misappropriation of funds and must be held accountable and tried with the necessary criminal legislation. This includes stripping him of the right to continue taking money from the taxpayer, whom he has betrayed for so many years.''
These include his state pension as an ex-minister and ex-Taoiseach, his free Mercedes limousine and driver, along with his personal round-the-clock security team that costs the taxpayer over £100,000 a year.
``Mr Haughey has proven himself to have been completely untrustworthy to have ever held the office of Taoiseach,'' Ó Snodaigh said. ``All the scandals and tribunals that he has been involved in have highlighted that his entire political career was motivated by personal financial greed. The taxpayers shouldn't be used to keep the wolf from the millionaire Haughey's mansion door.
``While the government refuses point-blank to recognise the nurses' just claim for fair treatment; they continue to pay Haughey what amounts to a yearly wage of three staff nurses.''
The Sinn Féin candidate added:
``There is an uncomfortable link between Haughey's corrupt past and the government of today. If the present government wants to retain any semblance of credibility it must close this chapter of `cute hoorism' and open a new one of transparency and accountability.
``Mr Haughey must not be given the benefit of privilege. He committed multiple crimes of tax evasion and misappropriation of funds and must be held accountable and tried with the necessary criminal legislation. This includes stripping him of the right to continue taking money from the taxpayer, whom he has betrayed for so many years.''