Row over senators’ office expenses

Government Oireachtas members have clashed over whether senators should be allowed to claim expenses to run offices in their home areas, even though their place of work is in Leinster House.

Senators have made a submission to Public Expenditure Minister Brendan Howlin on claiming their office rental costs out of existing allowances. The submission by the Seanad Committee of Procedure and Privileges is being considered just weeks ahead of a referendum on the future of the Upper House.

Senators rejected weekend reports that they had specifically requested extra funds for their offices, which reportedly could amount to €300,000.