More details emerge about O’Donoghue expenses

More details about expenses incurred by John O'Donoghue have been disclosed this morning as the Ceann Comhairle faces mounting pressure over his continuation in the job.

Reports this morning say documents released under the Freedom of Information Act show that Horse Racing Ireland picked up bills of more than €20,000 on behalf of ministerial delegations led by Mr O’Donoghue to nine international race meetings between 2003 and 2007.

Horse Racing Ireland is partly funded by a direct grant from the taxpayer.

The latest revelation follows several weeks of Sunday newspaper articles detailing lavish expenses claims by Mr O'Donoghue while he was Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism.

The Ceann Comhairle also revealed last Friday that he has claimed more than €100,000 in expenses since taking on his new job in 2007, including more than €90,000 incurred during trips abroad.