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.

The advice has emerged ahead of Dáil clerk Kieran Coughlan and members of the Oireachtas commission appearing before the Public Accounts Committee next week over the range of financial perks for politicians.

The hearing is part of a series of investigations by the PAC into allowances across departments and State bodies.

PAC chairman John McGuinness said: “We’ll go through the expenses of members, the vouched versus unvouched system, the subsistence payments, and clocking in and out as well as allowances given to ministers.”

The issue of travel and accommodation allowances for Oireachtas members caused controversy in July after it emerged that several TDs were using the unvouched claims to campaign nationwide.

The Oireachtas commission says members can claim travel expenses — amounts ranging from €12,000 to €37,000 a year — relating to journeys to and from the Dáil as well as in their constituency.

It has emerged that legal advice given to Brendan Howlin, the public expenditure minister, has signalled that Oireachtas members can use travel expenses for activities outside constituencies.

In a letter seen by the Irish Examiner, Mr Howlin says he has received advice from the Attorney General.

The clarification was sought by Socialist Party leader Joe Higgins, after he and former member Clare Daly came under the spotlight for using their expenses for campaigning beyond their electoral areas against the household charge.

The letter to Mr Higgins says the advice is that the expenses may be incurred in the performance of a politician’s duties as a member of Dáil Eireann.

The reply states: “The tasks the electors expect of elected representatives may involve a range of activities not limited to their constituency duties, including making representations on behalf of the constituency and involvement in groups and meetings with a wide range of bodies and persons.”

The Oireachtas last night said it was considering Mr Howlin’s advice. It added: “The accounting officer and secretary general of the Houses of the Oireachtas Service has raised some issues with the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform in relation to the application of the minister’s ruling and is seeking further clarification.”