Politicians claim €750k in expenses over summer

on 02/10/2012 07:57:05

New figures show the country's TDs and senators received expenses and allowances worth more than €750,000 in August, despite the fact that there were no Dáil, Seanad or committee sittings in the month.

Only two Oireachtas members did not receive any of the payments.

Newstalk Radio's Political Editor, Shane Coleman, said there does not seem to have been much fall-off in claims throughout the summer months.

Mr Coleman said: "I had a look back through the figures over the last four months and for every TD I could see, the amount seemed to be the same for each month.

"It seems to be an annual allowance that is paid retrospectively each month, effectively divided by twelve."