Ellis hopes take a dive as O’Donnell voices concern
by Katie Hannon, Political Correspondent
FIANNA FAIL TD John Ellis’s hopes of clinging to his plum position as chair of the Dail Agriculture Committee were dealt a further blow yesterday.
In a surprise twist Progressive Democrat Minister Liz O’Donnell entered the fray to suggest that the Leitrim backbencher consider his position.
John Ellis has been under pressure to step down as chairman of the Agriculture Committee over revelations that Charlie Haughey gave him £26,000 out of the Fianna Fail leader’s allowance to save him from bankuptcy. National Irish Bank also wrote off a £250,000 debt for the TD after his meat business failed in the eighties.
In all 83 farmers were left with a total of about £300,000 in bounced cheques in the debacle.
Asked if she retained confidence in Mr Ellis, Liz O’Donnell said that she did not, but added that it was a matter best left to the committee. When pressed she said it was her personal view that Mr Ellis "should consider his position."
The intervention of the PD minister may prove significant as John Ellis attempts to hang on the £10,000 a year position in the face of mounting pressure to resign.
It’s understood that Mr Ellis has told colleagues that "nothing will happen" in advance of the next meeting of the Agriculture Committee on Wednesday next.
Fine Gael’s agriculture spokesman Paul Connaughton has written to the clerk of the Agriculture Committee to say they will be pressing a motion of no confidence in the chairman at next Wednesday’s meeting.
Mr Ellis had "lost the confidence of the farming community," Mr Connaughton said.
Mr Ellis had a 15 minute meeting with Fianna Fail chairman Rory O’Hanlon and chief whip Seamus Brennan to discuss the developments yesterday.
Mr O’Hanlon would not be drawn on the tone or content of the discussion. He will be reporting back to the Taoiseach when he returns from his state visit to Hungary this weekend.
© The Examiner, 1999