Politicians’ expenses - System still wide open to abuse

The new system for members of the Oireachtas to claim expenses amounting to €10 million annually has already been diluted.

This is within three months of its introduction.

The revised system was introduced on March 1, 2010. In accordance with it deputies can claim unvouched travel expenses of between €12,000 and €37,850 annually, depending on where they live and the distance they must travel to Leinster House, while senators can claim between €7,000, and €32,850.