Minister expenses loophole has been closed

An expenses loophole which allowed cabinet ministers to claim an extra €2,000 a year in tax-free mileage has been closed by the government.

The “fresh start” allowed some ministers, who were appointed to a new job during an election year, to claim a higher rate of mileage twice in a single year.

It meant they could twice claim travel expenses at the higher rate which applies to the first 4,000 miles they travel in a single year.