Minister for Finance Brian Lenihan has said he intends to bring forward a fully verifiable and fully vouched system of Oireachtas expenses.
His comments come after Ceann Comhairle John O'Donoghue announced that he would resign next week after pressure from Opposition parties over his travel and expenses claims.
Mr Lenihan told RTÉ Radio that he had not yet made a final decision, but he did not believe the system proposed by the Oireachtas Commission would meet public concern about the issue, or his own insistence on full transparency.
Mr Lenihan also accused Labour leader Eamon Gilmore of not following proper procedures by presenting a motion of no confidence in the Ceann Comhairle at a time when the matter of Mr O'Donoghue's expenses was before the Oireachtas Commission, where the Labour party had a representative on the Audit Committee.
He said the motion was tabled before Mr O'Donoghue got an opportunity to explain his position to the people who paid him the expenses.
Unanimity sought on successor
Taoiseach Brian Cowen has accused some parties of 'dancing on the grave' of outgoing Ceann Comhairle John O'Donoghue.
Mr Cowen also told the Dáil, without committing himself, it would be preferable if there was cross-party unanimity in selecting Mr O'Donoghue's successor.
He was responding to a question from Labour leader Eamon Gilmore on whether he would meet the other party leaders with a view to agreeing a successor to John O'Donoghue who would have support across the House.
The Taoiseach also said he respected Mr O'Donoghue's decision to step down, which he said had been taken in the interests of the House and of the Office of Ceann Comhairle.
He claimed it is not unreasonable that John O'Donoghue would be given until next week to get his affairs in order before his departure.
Fine Gael leader Enda Kenny described yesterday's focus on one man's job as an 'unedifying spectacle' when there were 500,000 unemployed, but he did not push his party's line that it would be better if John O'Donoghue had stepped down immediately.
Meanwhile, Green Party leader John Gormley confirmed that Mr Cowen had been in contact with him before the Ceann Comhairle's statement to ascertain if the Green Party could support Mr O'Donoghue.
Leas-Cheann Comhairle Brendan Howlin replaced the absent John O'Donoghue in the Dáil chamber today.
Pressure
Mr O'Donoghue's decision comes after pressure from Opposition parties over his travel and expenses claims.
Last month, Mr O'Donoghue expressed his regret over large expenses claimed when he was Minister for Arts, Sports & Tourism.
At 10.30pm last night, a short statement was issued saying Mr O'Donoghue would resign and make a statement to the Dáil.
In a statement, Mr Cowen said Mr O'Donoghue has been a most effective and fair Ceann Comhairle who has acted with commitment and integrity.
Reacting to Mr O' Donoghue's resignation, Sinn Féin's Gerry Adams said he has sympathy for everyone who falls on their sword and that John O'Donoghue is very much part of a political culture which actually pre-dates this Government and 12 years of Fianna Fáil.
Speaking on RTÉ’s Morning Ireland, Fine Gael's Alan Shatter said he was 'astonished' that the Labour Party had agreed to Mr O'Donoghue being allowed to remain in office until next week.
Mr Shatter also said that if the Green Party decides to pull out of Government following its meeting this weekend, Mr O'Donoghue's decision to stay on until next week could mean he would retain his seat if a General Election was called.
Labour’s Pat Rabbitte said he had no difficulty with the Ceann Comhairle being allowed time to clear his desk.
Minister for Defence Willie O'Dea has meanwhile criticised the way the Labour Party handled the no confidence motion in John O'Donoghue.
He accused Labour of indulging in the worst case of 'political opportunism' and said he detested people talking out of both sides of their mouth.
Mr O'Dea said the O'Donoghue affair should have been left to the Oireachtas Committee and that the Ceann Comhairle was entitled to be allowed to make his case.
