Doherty may have to repay travel expenses

Added: 27-06-2012

Donegal South West Sinn Fein TD Pearse Doherty may face having to repay 8,000 euro after Leinster House authorities yesterday ruled that his travel expenses claim was "not appropriate".

According to a report in the Irish Independent last week, Mr Doherty had broken Dail rules by using the money of his travel and accommodation expenses to hire party workers last year.

It's reported Deputy Doherty subsequently said he could put the 8,000 euro towards the cost of buying his car -- and that this had been agreed with the Oireachtas authorities.

As his car had cost €15,000, this would mean he would not have to repay the €8,000 he used to pay his staff.

The Oireachtas Commission would not confirm if Mr Doherty had been told such a claim would be valid.

But it sought clarification from the Department of Public Expenditure about whether or not TDs could use their travel expenses to fund the purchase of a car.