President Higgins reveals background to €317k allowance

President Michael D Higgins has promised to provide a “formal statement” about spending at Áras an Uachtaráin, as he defended his unaudited annual allowance of €317,000.

Officially launching his campaign in Dublin, President Higgins said he had no difficulty answering questions about the allowance, which he said is spent on garden parties and tea parties as well as the hosting of foreign leaders.