Politicians' trips leave taxpayer with €1.25m bill

NON-GOVERNMENT foreign travel by TDs and senators has cost the taxpayer at least €1.25 million since June 2002, figures compiled by the Oireachtas have revealed.

The details, released to the Irish Examiner under the Freedom of Information Act, show 326 foreign trips were undertaken by individuals and delegations between June 2002 and August 18 this year to almost 70 countries. Destinations included Thailand, New Zealand, Vietnam, Australia, Mexico, Brazil, Chile and India.

The Oireachtas member with the highest foreign travel costs is Senator Paschal Mooney of Fianna Fáil (€67,000). His Seanad FF colleague Senator Brendan Daly is second highest, with costs of €56,002.