TD’s Concerned Soaring Petrol Prices May Force Them To Increase Their €34k Travel Allowance

TDs say they are very concerned that soaring petrol prices may force them to increase their current travel allowance of €34k per year.

Under the Oireachtas expenses system, TDs are paid a ‘Travel and Accommodation Allowance’ of up to €34,065 a year depending on their distance from the Dáil.

However, last year 43 TDs and senators claimed travel and accommodation expenses for attending Leinster House on more than 600 days when none of them either travelled to or stayed in Dublin.

Kildare TD Barney Fitzmaurice told us “I never spend anywhere near €38k on petrol in a year so it’s always lovely to get it. I spend most of mine on family holidays and things like that. Last year I got a big extension built on the house.

“Although the way things are going now I might actually end up spending all of it on petrol. I mean seriously, spending a travel allowance on actual travel? What the hell is the world coming to?”

Carlow TD Sean Cummings has called an emergency meeting of the cabinet for this evening to deal with the crisis.

He told us “What are we supposed to do if the €38k runs out? Pay for petrol out of our own pockets? No, I’m sorry but I didn’t go into politics to be treated like the ordinary Joe Soaps out there. We’re different. We’re better than that.”

Mr Cummings is calling for the €34k Travel and Accommodation Allowance to be rounded up to an even €100k. It is expected to get the full backing of the Dáil.