Fianna Fail TD Dooley: Claims TDs should be docked a month’s pay for abuse of privilege – TheLiberal.ie – Our News, Your Views

Fianna Fail TD Dooley: Claims TDs should be docked a month’s pay for abuse of privilege




Timmy-Dooley-660x330

A leading Fianna Fáil Senator has claimed that TDs should be automatically docked a month’s wages if they are found guilty of abusing their parliamentary privilege.

Although the party has said they will not seek to enforce punishment against Sinn Fein TD Mary Lou McDonald after she was found guilty of abusing her privilege. Senator Timmy Dooley of Fianna Fail claims that there has never been a reported situation before where a sitting TD refuses to accept findings made against them. Mr Dooley also believes that the Dáil should consider changing the current rules which would see fines being enforced automatically.

Mr Dooley told thae Dail: “We’re not interested in the short-term of dealing with any one individual, [but] there should be a system-wide approach,” he said. “In the event of somebody being found by their peers to be in breach of the principle … they should be dealt with automatically and it should a month’s forfeiture of their salary.”

Mr Dooley also added, previously those being found to have breached the rules “was enough of a sanction” and would cause TDs to address the matter “in a personal way”.

Share this story

Tell us what you think on our Facebook page