Oireachtas ups spend for overseas trips

Join the Oireachtas and see the world… new figures show that the spend by TDs and senators on overseas travel last year increased from €218,799 to €230,313.

During 2014, TDs and senators fanned across the globe with destinations including Iran, Japan, Vilnius, Budapest, the Philippines, Tallinn, Turkey, Kiev, Sofia, New York City, Athens, Beijing, Uganda, Oslo, Doha, Latvia, Moldova, and Baku in Azerbaijan.

The spend of €230,313 — a 5% increase on the 2013 figure — on 424 flights comprises flight, hotel, and general expense costs. Overall travel expenditure by the Oireachtas has been reduced by 75% since 2008.