Junior minister sympathises with Socialists in expenses row
Junior Finance Minister Brian Hayes has said he has some sympathy for politicians who are in hot water over travel allowances.
His comments follow confirmation yesterday that legal advice is being sought on the use of such expenses by TDs Joe Higgins and Clare Daly.
Both have admitted to using their Dáil allowances while travelling around the country to promote the non-payment of the household charge.
Minister Hayes said he understands the situation both representatives are in.
"I have some sympathy, I have to say, for the Socialists on this issue," he said.
"I've raised this issue in the past.
"I know when I was an opposition spokesperson I regularly had to go around the country meeting different people, speaking to different interest groups, and it seems to me that if you're entitled to travel in your constituency doing this work (that) it should probably extend beyond that."
