O’Keeffe ignores demands to divulge Dual Abode relief

EDUCATION Minister Batt O’Keeffe was last night still refusing to tell taxpayers if he is one of the senior Government figures clawing back €100,000 a year between them for the upkeep of second homes.

Cork North West TD Mr O’Keeffe ignored growing opposition demands for him to divulge whether he took the Dual Abode tax relief – as Britain’s parliamentary watchdog moved to outlaw a similar scheme at Westminster, branding it “unacceptable”.

Mr O’Keeffe is among half a dozen Cabinet members – dubbed the “Secret 6” by opposition TDs – eligible for the perk as they are based outside Dublin who have so far refused to say whether they have received the benefit, which is worth on average €5,500 a year to ministers who claim.