Peter Burke (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Normally, there is a requisition or some document that is signed and co-signed if there is a trip away or where taxpayers' money is being spent under any heading. Usually, there is detailed paperwork that is checked and safeguards are in place to ensure money is not being misappropriated and the reason for a trip is clear and documented. I do not understand how this happened. Someone has to sign the cheque and someone has to press the button to pay the money. There must be checks along the way and I do not understand how something like this could happen in 2015.