O'Donoghue spent €13,000 on car hire
Friday, 2 October 2009 22:22
Ceann Comhairle John O'Donoghue has disclosed details of all the expenses claimed since he was appointed two years ago.
The figures show that some €45,000 was spent on foreign travel, €13,000 for car and limousine hire, and just under €5,000 spent on VIP lounges over the last 24 months.
Earlier this month Mr O'Donoghue had promised to disclose his expenses with a view to making the workings of his office more transparent.
That pledge came after controversy over the level of expenses claimed by the Kerry South TD when he was Minister for Arts Sports and Tourism.
Now he has made good that promise with a bulky file of receipts and claims made available to the media.
What is sure to attract attention is a €13,000 bill for car and limousine hire abroad, some of that involving transfer between airport terminals.
A statement from the Houses of the Oireachtas said all the spending was within official guidelines.
Traditionally one of the perks of the office of Ceann Comhairle has been frequent official functions abroad but in the current climate many will look askance at this latest disclosure.
