Terry Leyden (Fianna Fail)

I do not wish to enter the debate on expenses. The country is facing so many situations that the debate is a distraction. I would have no difficulty in having the information published on the web whenever it suited the commission instead of seeing the different directions being taken in freedom of information requests. The next Sunday Independent and Sunday Tribune issues will show the travel arrangements of Members of the Houses of the Oireachtas, but none of the reasons for attending meetings abroad will be provided. The expenses date back to 2005, but the amounts will be combined to undermine us as much as possible. Whatever arrangement or regime is brought into place, it should not cost the Oireachtas more in terms of scrutinising expenses claims.

Three of the Senators present are on the Council of Europe, of which Ireland was a founder member 60 years ago. We sent representatives in 1949 and will send representatives this year to take our place in an important forum. This costs, but Members' airline tickets and accommodation expenses are not given to them. They will not sleep in doorways in Strasbourg, but they are not worried about their accommodation as long as it is reasonable. Ryanair has done a tremendous job in reducing the cost of flights for Members. Michael O'Leary deserves credit for his achievements in providing us with access to Europe. No explanation for the expenses is given, as the media is not interested in the Council of Europe's work, but it is vital that Ireland be represented in all international forums. We are an independent republic and we fought hard to be there. Surely we should also continue our membership of the Inter-Parliamentary Union, IPU.