CALLS have been made for TDs to suspend their travel expenses amid the coronavirus crisis.
They're currently entitled to a total €250,000 per month to cover travel and accommodation costs, though much of this is now unnecessary with travel restrictions and social distancing measures in place during lockdown.
There are also limits on how many TDs are allowed to attend the Dail, which has met just six times since the election.
People are now calling for the Travel and Accommodation Allowance (TAA) to be suspended and reinvested elsewhere, as the country continues to fight the spread of the Covid-19.
The TAA was put in place to cover costs associated with TDs travelling to and from Leinster House - as well as other consistencies. Overnight accommodation is also covered, as members are frequently required to travel long distances.
Cork-based Solidarity TD Mick Barry, who is entitled to €2,614 a-month under the scheme, said: "Although some TDs pay round-the-year rent on accommodation, I think the case for cutting back on travel and accommodation expenses during the lockdown is unanswerable."
Dublin-based Rise TD Paul Murphy, who is entitled €750 a-month, agreed: "There's a serious case to either suspend the payment altogether while the crisis is going on and the Dail is barely sitting or cut it back substantially."
