Martin warns against ‘losing the plot’ on political travel

FOREIGN Affairs Minister Micheál Martin has warned against “losing the plot” when it comes to curtailing politicians’ travel on cost grounds.

It comes after Fine Gael senator Paschal Donohoe launched a blistering attack on Ceann Comhairle John O’Donoghue for the travel bills he incurred during his tenure as arts minister.

The bills, which related to 2006 and 2007, included hotel rooms costing €990 a night in Cannes, €7,591 on “airport pick-ups” during a two-day visit to London and €250 for water taxis in Venice. Mr O’Donoghue also used the Government jet in 2006 to fly back from the Cannes Film Festival to a constituency event in Kerry before flying onwards to Cardiff for the Heineken Cup final.