What's the talk of education?
RUAIRÍ QUINN AND HIS MILEAGE EXPENSES
Minister for Education Ruairí Quinn has been asked to explain a second expenses claim, this time relating to a month in which he spent 22 days on holiday. In August 2011, Mr Quinn signed off on a claim for 2,800km, worth around €800, despite the fact his official diary shows that he was working for only nine days that month. That works out at an average of 311km every day.
Given the Minister is not responding to what looks like perfectly legitimate questions about the use of public funds, then someone needs to make a complaint to the Standards in Public Office. The Minister's expense claims may be perfectly in order and there may be reasons for what seems like high mileage, but unless you can get the Minister to answer the questions, this issue just hangs. And the Minister seems unwilling to answer your questions. – Jagdip Singh, thestory.ie
Interesting point in the article that the political system, including the opposition, are not questioning any of this. The reason of course is that they are all at it and if they pipe up on this then details on their own mileage claims will somehow magic their way into the papers in retaliation.
– gijoe, politics.ie
I got a lot of travelling expenses in my previous job, and frequently claimed expenses in lumps every couple of pay-weeks. Most jobs that require that much distance being travelled give travelling expenses. I’m not saying he’s innocent but ease up on the accusations until an explanation is given. Although expect that explanation to be long-winded political speak.
– EMC, broadsheet.ie
This is extraordinary stuff. I listened to Quinn on Morning Ireland last week, brushing off this story contemptuously by suggesting that the excess mileage had been run up by officials being ferried the couple of kilometres to Marlborough Street. More than a thousand times in one month? Crazy stuff. This hero of the working classes has some serious questions to answer and the failure of the broadcast media to burrow further into his, and all TDs expenses claims, is not good. Is it because he’s a Labour minister?
If this was Eamon Ó Cuív in the spotlight would RTÉ be doing an extended piece on Today with Pat Kenny? We’ve changed the choir but we’re still listening to the same old music.
– Hewson, politics.ie
Ó Snodaigh been followed to answer about Inkgate while Ruairí Quinn can get away with charging huge mileage expenses. Not fair - @boredandfussy
Some of Ruairí Quinn’s mystery travel expenses were going to and from Connemara, where he “frequently holidays”. - @JohnBurnsST
Ruairí Quinn’s “it’s the system” excuse for expenses. But god help you if you’re on the dole and “using the system” to get extra €s! - @MacAnBhaird
Under €3,000 on expenses worse than around €50,000 on print cartridges?
I’m no Labour member but I presume this has got something to do with the pooling of the Minister’s cars.
- PK, broadsheet.ie
