Time folks please... just not in the Dáil bar

THE Oireachtas imposes no limits on the amount of credit TDs and senators can claim in the Dáil bar and restaurant, leaving them free to run up massive tabs for food and drink.

The Irish Examiner recently revealed how one Oireachtas member owed the restaurant more than €5,600 at the end of last year, while 12 others each owed between €1,000 and €3,000. Separate figures showed one member owed the bar €1,422.10.

Following questions from this paper, the commission which runs the Oireachtas has admitted it sets no “formal limits” on the amount of credit a TD or senator can claim in the bar or restaurant. Neither does it set any credit periods to ensure TDs and senators settle their bills within a set time.