A group of Fine Gael Junior Ministers are asking for the State to pay their hotel bills when the Dáil is sitting, claiming Dublin is too expensive. At least eight ministers have complained to the Finance Minister Paschal Donohoe that their expenses do not factor in midweek stays in the capital. TDs from outside Dublin are entitled to claim up to €34,000 a year in travel and accommodation expenses but ministers are not. Ministers, whose basic TD salary of €94,535 is supplemented by a ministerial payment of €35,319, are required to submit mileage claims to their department but have to cover their hotel bills themselves. It's an anomaly that if you're a Dublin minister you're fine but if you come up from the country, you're paying for a hotel two or three nights a week."

Source: Evening echo December 03, 2018 07:18 UTC