All TDs warned about accepting ‘sponsored’ travel

All TDs have been warned about accepting “sponsored” travel and accommodation after concerns were raised about several Oireachtas members who visited the US recently as guests of a pro-life group.

The Dáil committee on members’ interests has written to TDs alerting them that accepting paid travel or accommodation may constitute a donation and possibly breach legislation.

Several anti-abortion TDs and senators who went to the US on an all expenses-paid trip said they will examine if they breached legislation and whether they must pay money back to the sponsors.