Fine Gael Dublin North TD, Alan Farrell, has today (Tuesday) called on his constituency colleague, Socialist TD Clare Daly, to admit she was wrong to use her Dáil travel expenses to campaign against the Household Charge.

Deputy Farrell was speaking after the Houses of the Oireachtas Service confirmed that the travel allowance was never intended to cover the travel of Deputies outside their own constituency.

“Clare Daly and her Socialist Party colleagues have been indignant in their defence over the last few days of their practice of using the Travel and Accommodation Allowance to travel around the country campaigning against the Household Charge.

“The Houses of Oireachtas Service have now clarified that the allowance was never envisaged to allow Deputies to travel outside of their constituencies, except for journeys to and from Leinster House. Furthermore, the Oireachtas is seeking legal advice to clarify the position.

“It is time for Deputy Daly and her colleagues to admit they were wrong. It is completely indefensible to use taxpayers’ money to encourage people not to pay their taxes.”

ENDS