Seán Fleming (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

It would be easy to make a song and dance today out of the €160,000 paid out between expenses and fees. However, when one considers the distances from which some of those concerned are coming, it is quite understandable. I acknowledge some people would suggest they should do it for nothing but people must be paid if they take days to come to meetings. Consequently, the sum of €6,000 is modest and I look forward to receiving the HEA's report tomorrow.