Howlin considers cuts to TD and senator perks

It has been reported that the Minister for Public Expenditure Brendan Howlin is planning to cut TDs' and senators' travel and subsistence perks and other allowances in December's Budget.

According to the Sunday Independent, Mr Howlin is proposing to slash these benefits by 15%.

These perks currently cost the taxpayer €11m a year.

It has also been suggested that a further pay cut may be imposed on ministers, but as they already took a 10%cut on their first day in office, it is believed there is little desire among the the Cabinet to take more pain.