Kenny defends ministerial tax perk he vowed to axe

Enda Kenny has defended a Government tax perk that allows ministers to claim over €100,000 a year towards the cost of running a second home in Dublin.

In 2010, when the Irish Examiner first exposed the dual abode allowance payouts, Mr Kenny, then the opposition leader, said he would get rid of the scheme if he came to power.

However, finance department figures show 13 ministers availed of the allowance last year, costing the taxpayer €112,661.