Taxpayer foots €31,384 bill for Philippines junket

EIGHT politicians have flown to the Philippines to attend a global conference this week, costing the taxpayer €31,384.

The six TDs and two Senators comprise the Irish delegation to the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) Assembly in Manila - an international talking shop that is a forum for debating global issues.

Seanad chairman Senator Rory Kiely is leading the delegation, which also includes Cork TDs Billy Kelleher and Danny Wallace as well as deputies Cecilia Keaveney, Martin Brady, John Perry, Paddy McHugh and Senator Don Lydon.