Ireland:Willie O'Dea Resignation -Statements from Party Leaders and ex Minister

Willie O'Dea-Resignation Statement

Statement by An Taoiseach, Brian Cowen TD

THE TAOISEACH wishes to announce that Mr Willie O’Dea TD has this evening tendered his resignation as Minister for Defence and the President has accepted it.
In tendering his resignation, Mr O’Dea said: “I have come to the regrettable conclusion that my continuing in office will only serve to distract from the important and vital work of Government in addressing the serious challenges that the country continues to face at this time.”
In response to Mr O’Dea’s resignation, the Taoiseach said: “I want to thank you for your hard work and commitment in carrying out your duties as Minister.
“I believe that you have made a significant contribution to the Governments in which you have served and have shown great skill in overseeing the modernisation of the Defence Forces.”
The Taoiseach has assigned the Department of Defence to himself for the present.

Green Party Leader, John Gormley

"Yesterday afternoon I met Willie O’Dea and he assured me that an article in today’s Limerick Leader would vindicate him. The article published today does not do that. In fact it does the opposite."At the very conclusion of yesterday’s Dail debate Mr O’Dea said his original actions in the matter were based on information given to him by An Garda Siochana. We were very concerned by this behaviour by a member of Government.
"We have also taken the view that Willie O’Dea’s comments and conduct during yesterday’s debate and in subsequent media appearances were inappropriate.
"All these factors have led us to conclude that Willie O’Dea could not continue as a member of this Government. The issue has already taken up too much energy and attention at a time when crucial economic challenges face the Irish people.
"We are committed to continuing to work with our partners in government to face those challenges."

Fine Gael Leader, Enda Kenny

“Resigning his position in Cabinet must have been very difficult for Willie O’Dea and a very trying event for his family. However, Willie O’Dea’s resignation was an inevitable consequence of his swearing of a false affidavit before the High Court.”

Labour Leader, Eamon Gilmore

“The resignation of Willie O’Dea as Minister for Defence was inevitable once the full details of his conduct emerged over recent days, including the release of the tape and his RTE interview today. The process of Mr. O’Dea’s departure was hastened by the approach of the Taoiseach and that of his Fianna Fail colleagues in the Dail during this week.”

Sinn Fein Dail Leader, Caoimhghin O Caolain

“Minister O’Dea had become totally unsuitable for Ministerial office given his gross defamation of an election candidate, his false denial of that defamation in a spurious affidavit to the High Court and his unapologetic performance in the Dáil on Wednesday.”