‘Questions need to be answered about expenses’

EDUCATION Minister Batt O’Keeffe indicated that Ceann Comhairle John O’Donoghue may have questions to answer about his expenses and whether he should return some of the costs of his foreign travel.

The minister said people have a right to be concerned about expenses of all public office holders and said the Government’s own concerns about expenses have already resulted in moves to reduce TDs and senators expense rates.

When asked by reporters in Cork if Mr O’Donoghue should hand back some of the money spent on his foreign and domestic travel since becoming Ceann Comhairle, Mr O’Keeffe said it was not a question for him to answer.