Bill of thousands to save the fabric of the Oireachtas...from moths
A database of Oireachtas expenditure that was released under Freedom of Information legislation shows nearly €45,000 spent on pest control last year.
A chunk of that was to combat moths using what is known as Exosex treatment, which stops moths from finding breeding partners. Pic: Shutterstock
Other big bills included more than €31,000 for high-end mobile phones for TDs and senators, and €1,026 spent on a Cathaoirleach's dinner event – as well as large accommodation and car hire costs for visiting delegations.
Just over €5,200 went on gifts – including a stock of presents for the offices of both the Ceann Comhairle and the chair of the Seanad – while €1,230 was for binders with an Oireachtas logo and around €1,200 on notebooks.
Included in a €42,363 catering and hospitality bill was a €2,033 charge for a lunch for retired staff and €2,242 for the 'provision of refreshments to relatives'.
In addition, there was a furniture bill of around €142,000, which also covered a range of miscellaneous purchases including satin flags and electrical cables; there were three purchases of ergonomic recliners, coming in at a total cost of €14,500.
The Oireachtas flooring bill was around €30,000, including €13,751 for carpeting a private dining room and around €7,700 for two offices. Pic: Getty images
Paper cups for the Leinster House complex cost €4,437, while some technical equipment for broadcasting and other services came with a price tag of just a little over €87,000.
This included €6,609 for aperture lights and stands, €4,772 for rewiring of a camera, and €4,291 for an audio processor.
Two unnamed TDs claimed a constituency office establishment allowance; one received €8,000 while the other got €5,620.
There was also spending of almost €225,000 on the special secretarial allowance, that ministers use for communications and help with paperwork and other services. Additional telephone allowances of nearly €35,000.
There was a travel bill of nearly €730,000, which covered domestic and overseas travel for politicians and for staff. Pic: Getty Images
Foreign flights and accommodation accounted for around €173,000 of the overall travel bill, with large numbers of trips taken across Europe and elsewhere in the world.
Some of the more significant travel bills included over €20,000 for flights to Nepal, €3,279 for air travel to Angola, and a €1,388 ticket to Bali.
A sum of €150 was paid to have staff vaccinated against rabies, while €60 was spent on a jab to stop hepatitis infection.
Around €73,000 was spent on taxis both at home and abroad, with cabs often required for staff having to work into the evenings for late sittings.
The Oireachtas also reported transport hire costs of just over €16,000, with around €7,000 being paid out during a visit by a delegation from Slovakia in February of last year.
Asked about the records, an Oireachtas spokeswoman said the satin flags were bought for a specific conference and would be reused; reclining armchairs were bought on a limited basis, sometimes in response to requests by individuals with a medical problem.
She said the Cathaoirleach's dinner was attended by the leader of the Seanad and senators who acted as temporary chairpersons.
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