David Norris (Independent)

This is directly relevant. The person in question asked about the expenses. He asked if I lived on North Great George's Street and even I had the intelligence to answer that straight off. He asked if I worked in Leinster House and I said the questions were getting easier all the time and if I got a third one right, would I get to keep the sweets? The third question was how I could justify claiming €6,000 in travelling expenses the previous year. I asked the journalist how he would justify it and he told me he could not. I said that I could not do so either and that the journalist was referring to the per diem allowance. Not only that but I was the 59th of 60 Senators on the expenses list, with the only person claiming less being my colleague, Senator Feargal Quinn, who had just sold a supermarket empire. The headline detailing how politicians had their snouts in the trough had a photograph of me and indicated I got €6,000 in expenses. Every element of the story was true but when they were put together it was for the purpose of a toxic lie. Anybody who believes being open, honest and answering questions will completely resolve the problem is living in cloud cuckoo-land. I know that from a series of experiences, of which that is one.

The Independents should get support and we should be accountable. Every penny we get is recorded. I have said before that I go for unvouched expenses because I live an extremely busy life and although I am a hoarder and keep every scrap, I find it very difficult sometimes to find receipts, etc., or remember what has gone on. This would be fine if I could be provided with an accountant and I could be relieved of this duty. I do not want to be bothered by this obligation because I want to deal with the ideas that have me here in Parliament. I should not have to be an office boy checking receipts and keeping lists. I would go ahead with this if I had an accountant but not otherwise.

Senators should not think the media will be impressed by this as it will not. The media is between us and the people, and it can often argue that politicians are corrupt, on the take or liars. I hear that every single day.