Mary Lou McDonald (Dublin Central, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister. This is turning out to be a positive day, but we will see how long that lasts.

Why does the Minister not have access to, or sight of, the expenses of other Ministers? This has happened in other contexts where the Minister's Department has an overarching umbrella, yet when questions are asked - this being a particular instance - the Minister says it is a matter for the line Minister or Department. I would have thought that his departmental officials would have their beady eye across the board. He should be able to provide me with the information on each and every Minister. He might give the aggregate figure for his own personal expenses in the period outlined. As he is aware, this is a vexed issue owing to the hardship faced by many families outside the Chamber. In addition, it is the vouched and unvouched nature of some expenses which needs to be ironed out.

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