Politicians will collect expenses without ‘clocking in’

MOVES to allow TDs to claim attendance allowances even though they have not bothered to “clock-in” to Leinster House caused controversy last night.

Changes to the supposedly hard-line new expenses regime brought in only last March mean party whips will be able vouch for members who have not registered their presence in the parliament either through the electronic system or by signing-in.

Such an intervention by whips will allow TDs and senators to claim full expenses even though they have circumvented the supposedly rigid verification system imposed after public concern at abuse of the old regime.