Taxpayers fund over 100 foreign trips for politicians

TDs and senators participated in more than 100 foreign trips during an 18-month period following the general election in 2002, the Irish Examiner has established.

A comprehensive tally of trips carried out by TDs and senators between July 2002 and December 2003 revealed 109 Oireachtas members travelled to 48 international destinations on delegations and on Irish parliamentary duties.

No overall information is yet available for trips undertaken in 2004, which includes the controversial two-week trip earlier this month to Australia by seven TDs and senators.