Higgins criticises 'ridiculous' travel expenses decision

Socialist Party TD Joe Higgins has said that he cannot accept that TDs in Dublin should not campaign on national issues.

Deputy Higgins has hit back after the Houses of the Oireachtas confirmed he was not entitled to travel expenses for events he attended during the anti-Household Charge campaign.

Last night, the Oireachtas service said its legal advice states TDs can only claim for travel in their own constituency, and between their home and the Dáil.

Deputy Higgins said that he will now seek independent legal advice.

It looks likely though that he and party colleague Clare Daly, along with People Before Profit TD Joan Collins will have to repay money they claimed for the campaign.

"It's ridiculous that Dublin TDs are supposedly to stay confined to the capital and when campaign groups from Donegal to Mayo invite us to speak where they want to hear the views of the Opposition and we look for the very bare costs, that this is blown into a major national issue," he said.