TDs’ post: new system would be even worse

I AM horrified at reports that the Dáil committee on members’ interests is recommending TDs be allowed reclaim their postage costs through a traceable receipts system.

Is this a job creation exercise? The postal clerk sells the stamps after the delivery man has collected them from the printer. The clerk also writes a receipt for the stamps and this is paid for by a cheque which passes through two bank accounts.

The TD’s accountant writes up his or her income and expenditure account and two banks process the cheque. The Dáil expenses office processes the claim and a higher officer writes the cheque. Finally the auditor-general checks that the TD is claiming the correct amount. This process needs nine people at least... sorry, I forgot the stamp-licker, making a total of ten.