Minister’s move will make it easier for TDs to claim expenses

I refer to Brendan Howlin’s letter (Apr 25) regarding the move by him to increase the amount TDs can spend on secretarial and PR services.

Mr Howlin’s new rule will allow TDs to spend the money they were unable to spend on unvouched expenses on hiring extra secretaries and public relations consultants instead. Mr Howlin’s role as the Minister for Public Expenditure & Reform should see him close loopholes in the unvouched expenses culture. Instead he has now made it easier for TDs to claim further expenses on secretarial and PR services.

Mr Howlin has now provided the opportunity for increased expenses that could effectively cost the taxpayer a further €1m a year.