Aontú leader Peadar Tóibín has called out government ministers for their spending on foreign trips, after revealing that more than half a million euros was spent on international travel in the last two and a half years, even with the Covid lockdown.
“Government Ministers have serious questions to answer over their spending on foreign trips,” the Meath West TD said.
“In particular I’d like to see Minister Catherine Martin address the spending by her department. In all since she took office two years ago she has gone abroad in an official capacity nine times at a cost of just under €100,000 to the tax payer,” he said.
“Ching ching! Green Party Minister Catherine Martin spent €97,478 on international travel in 2 years. €29,171 on a week-long trip to the west coast of the US. €23,638 on a five day trip to the UAE. €22,062 on a week-long trip to Argentina. Very Green!” the Aontú TD tweeted.
“It’s an enormous amount of spending for just one department. In May, her six day trip to the USA cost the taxpayer roughly €30,000. In March, she went to Buenos Aires at a cost of over €22,000 between flights and accommodation. Again a similar cost for her five-day Februrary trip to the UAE.”
“I’d love to know what was gained with these excursions – this €100,000 out of the public purse spent on flights and hotels – what has the Minister learned on her trips abroad – what knowledge or concrete benefits has she brought home to Ireland? Aontú would call on Minister Martin to explain to the public how their money was spent, and what she has to show for it,” Tóibín said.
Data on expenditure was released to the Aontú leader in response to a series of parliamentary questions.
The information revealed that €2,606 was on photography services alone when the Taoiseach visited New York for a meeting of the UN General Assembly in September 2021.
The Taoiseach and his delegation also spent €1,010 on breakfast charges at the Fitzpatrick Hotel in New York City during that trip.
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