SIPTU funded Finance Department official’s six trips abroad

A SIPTU bank account at the centre of a number of investigations was used to fund six trips to New York by a Department of Finance official who had a key role in industrial relations issues.

Assistant principal Tom Dowling had a “huge role in industrial relations” and the partnership process when he travelled with union bosses representing public sector workers.

Most of these trips coincided with St Patrick’s Day and while some were described as “study visits”, the purpose of others is unknown.