UK politician to pay back expenses- has this ever happened in Ireland?

tech77

Hi.
Not sure of the exact details but just heard on Sky News about a UK politician having to pay back wrongly-claimed expenses.

Just wondering- has anything like this ever happened in Ireland?
How true is the commonly-held notion that UK politics has greater accountability (in terms of resignations) than Irish politics.
Or is this a cliche.

This isn't meant to be a populist amirite post.
Just wondering- is Irish politics really dysfunctional and rotten.
Personally, it does seem that way.
Or is there anything redeeming about it.

dresden8

The Brits have a slightly hypocritical stance on their politicians, which works for them.

They fully expect them to be honest and pretend that they are. When they are caught out as corrupt money grubbers this allows them to be righteously outraged.

Outraged people demand and get resignations.

Irish people know our politicians are scum and admit it. When they are caught out as corrupt money grubbers we say, "Well, what do you expect?" and carry on.

We need this sense of hypocrisy and indignation in the electorate. Expect honesty from the thieving scum and when we don't get it hound them out of office.

http://news.sky.com/skynews/Home/Politics/Jacqui-Smith-Constituents-Sign-Up-In-Their-Thousands-To-Get-Rid-Of-Ex-Home-Secretary/Article/200910215405801?lpos=Politics_Article_Related_Content_Region_6&lid=ARTICLE_15405801_Jacqui_Smith_Constituents_Sign_Up_In_Their_Thousands_To_Get_Rid_Of_Ex-Home_Secretary

Thousands of Jacqui Smith's constituents have joined a campaign to oust her from her Parliamentary seat.

This will not happen in Kerry re. John O'Donoghue. Not picking on Kerry, it happens everywhere.

Because, after all, we know they are thieving scum, and expect them to act accordingly.