Show us the money — but not the receipts

What Mr Dignam (Letters Irish Examiner, February 9) from the Oireachtas Head of Communications, chose not to mention in his defence of the Oireachtas gravy train, is that the Oireachtas doesn’t publish one receipt to verify that any of the expenses paid to members are reflective of genuine expenses incurred.

For example, accommodation allowances are paid to long term members. Who checks if those members still actually incur those costs? Are Enda Kenny, Micheál Martin, Michael Noonan, or Brendan Howlin still paying mortgages on Dublin homes.

What too if TDs are renting from family members? Then there are the expenses and allowances for local offices but with zero oversight about who owns these offices.