McDaid named as worst Dáil attendee

Former Fianna Fáil TD Jim McDaid was the worst attendee this year in the Dáil, according to official figures released this evening.

A new "clocking in" system came into force last March to monitor when deputies are present - and the maximum number of days that could be achieved up to the end of October was 100.

More than 30 TDs hit that total, many of them from Dublin.

But Jim McDaid was only present for 38 days.

The next lowest was former Minister Willie O'Dea on 62 days and Fine Gael's Shane McEntee on 66 days.

All TDs must be present for 120 days a year to receive payment of the full travel and accomodation allowance.