Call for reform after row over MEPs' expenses

EUROPE AFFAIRS Minister Dick Roche yesterday called for an overhaul of the EU-expenses system after an investigation claimed Irish MEPs were abusing lucrative allowances.

Austrian MEP Hans-Peter Martin claims to have secretly filmed nearly a third of the 626 MEPs signing the attendance book on a Friday morning in Strasbourg and leaving shortly afterwards.

According to Mr Martin, nine of Ireland's 15 MEPs signed on for a €257 daily subsistence allowance in Strasbourg and left for home shortly afterwards.