Higgins defends using Dáil expenses in fighting ‘vicious austerity tax’

Socialist Party leader Joe Higgins has defended his use of Dáil expenses to travel around the country for anti- household charge meetings and protests.

Mr Higgins said it’s “absolutely justifiable” for him and his colleague, Clare Daly, to use taxpayer-funded travel and accommodation expenses as part of their campaign against the €100 charge.

Oireachtas authorities said that they are considering whether the deputies are in breach of the rules which state expenses must be incurred by members “in the performance of his or her duties as a member of Dáil Eireann.”