the new party leader. O'Donoghue was appointed to the front bench as spokesperson for Justice. In this capacity, he constantly criticised the incumbent Minister for Justice, Nora Owen of Fine Gael. He demanded 'zero tolerance' for criminals, and campaigned for harsher sentencing and increased prison places. Cabinet career: 1997–2007 When Fianna Fáil returned to power with the Progressive Democrats following the 1997 general election, O'Donoghue joined the cabinet as Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform. In this capacity, he was involved in the British-Irish negotiations which led to the Good Friday Agreement in 1998. In 2002, Fianna Fáil again failed to obtain an overall majority and formed a coalition government with the Progressive Democrats. O'Donoghue, in what was seen as a demotion, was appointed Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism. He was involved in the finalisation of details for the rebuilding of Lansdowne Road. In mid-2004, Ahern announced that he would be reshuffling his cabinet in September, prompting speculation over O'Donoghue's cabinet position, and a possible move to another portfolio. O'Donoghue, however, retained his post. Ceann Comhairle Following the 2007 general election, he was elected Ceann Comhairle by 90 votes to 75. O'Donoghue was nominated for the position by Taoiseach, Bertie Ahern. Labour Party leader Pat Rabbitte said that for the first time in almost 20 years there would be an alternative and nominated Ruairi Quinn. Fine Gael leader Enda Kenny seconded Quinn's nomination but the nomination was not put to a vote. On the evening of Tuesday, 6 October 2009, O'Donoghue announced his resignation from the post of Ceann Comhairle, effective from the following week. Expenses scandal Following an investigation in 2009 by Ken Foxe, Public Affairs correspondent with the Sunday Tribune, a controversy erupted over the amount and nature of O'Donoghue's spending and expenses. Foxe submitted a number of Freedom of Information requests that resulted in embarrassing forensic details of O'Donoghue's expense claims. During a two-year tenure as Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism, O'Donoghue's ministerial expenses amounted to €126,000. The Minister claimed expense claims that involved foreign trips for himself and both his wife and personal secretary. Sinn Féin raised the spending spree with the Dáil, while a Fine Gael spokesperson branded the expense claims as "indulgent". In May 2006, O'Donoghue used the government jet for a six-day journey at the cost of €32,450. O'Donoghue, accompanied by his wife, attended the Cannes Film Festival. He returned