METRO FREE Wednesday, October 7, 2009 HELP METRO HELP THE ENVIRONMENT. RECYCLE THIS NEWSPAPER TODAY INSIDE TODAY Competition: Page 4 Win tickets to the movies at Dundrum Interview: Page 14 Time Travellers Wife author talks to Metro PLUS Whats on TV tonight Pages 16-17 LABOUR leader Eamon Gilmore yesterday stunned the Dil by telling Ceann Comhairle John ODonoghue it was time for him to resign or be removed from office. Speculation was mounting last night that the Dil chair- man would cave in to pressure over his lavish expenses and staffing levels in his office and step down. In a tense moment during leaders questions, Mr Gilmore spoke directly to the Dil chairman. Ceann Comhairle, I regret to say this but I consider your position is no longer tenable, Mr Gilmore said. I think you will either have to resign or I think you will have to be removed from office. Mr Gilmore said the Labour Party would now be tabling a motion of no confidence in Mr ODonoghue, the first time such a motion has ever been brought against a Ceann Comhairle. On Sunday, the Labour leader called for urgent talks with all political party chiefs after the latest disclosures about Mr ODonoghues spending of taxpayers money on luxury flights, limousines and VIP airport lounges, totalling 90,000 since he took office two years ago. The Ceann Comhairle, an avid horse racing enthusiast, is also under fire over 500,000 in expenses he ran up while he was Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism. Mr Gilmore said he was particularly disappointed Taoi- seach Brian Cowen would not agree to a meeting and re- jected the Fianna Fil leaders claim the Oireachtas Com- mission was the appropriate place to deal with the fall-out. In an attempt to save his job, for which he needs cross- party support, the Ceann Comhairle had promised to make detailed proposals on the matter to the Commission today. Sinn Fin yesterday led the calls for him to resign, and after Mr Gilmores statement in the Dil Fine Gael also hardened its stance, with leader Enda Kenny saying he should resign, forthwith. BY CON DOHERTY ODonoghue: Go or face the sack Feeling the pressure: John ODonoghue faced a surprise call in the Dil chamber for him to resign Picture: Photocall index.html2.html3.html4.html5.html6.html7.html8.html9.html10.html11.html12.html13.html14.html15.html16.html17.html18.html19.html20.html21.html22.html23.html