Political watchdog criticises lack of expenses transparency

An official political watchdog has criticised the lack of transparency concerning the rules on how Government ministers can claim expenses when using their private vehicles.

The Standards in Public Office Commission (Sipo) has recommended that the current expenses regime for members of the Cabinet be amended to bring it in line for all other public servants.

It follows a controversy which erupted last March after documents released under freedom of information to the investigative website thestory.ie highlighted how Education Minister Ruairí Quinn had claimed expenses for several journeys to his holiday home in Roundstone, Co Galway, last August while he was officially on holiday.