Watchdog to probe politicians’ expenses

Expenses and allowances for TDs, senators, and ministers will be scrutinised next week when the heads of the Oireachtas come before the Dáil’s financial watchdog committee.

The trawl through financial perks for politicians comes as rules governing their use of travel expenses look set to be loosened.

Legal advice given to the Government has signalled that TDs and senators could now claim travel expenses for travelling anywhere around the country — not just in their constituency.