Longford/Westmeath TD James Bannon has reacted angrily to a recent report which named him as one of the highest Dail expenses claimants in the country, saying the figures quoted are €30,000 higher than the amount he actually claimed.
Figures published in a national paper recently placed Deputy Bannon in the top five when it came to expense claims, stating that he took home €83,858 during 2009.
However,when he approached Dail Eireann to query the figure, the Fine Gael TD says he was told the amount he claimed last year was €54,773 - more than €30,00 less than the figure cited in the report.
“I obtained figures from the One Stop Shop in Leinster House, and my total expenses from January 1 to December 31 2009 were €54,773.70. The first payment was for office expenses on January 1, right up to the last payment on December 15.
“I can’t understand where the figure of €83,858 came from. I have written to the journalist in question to ask for an explanation, as he is out by €30,000,” said Deputy Bannon.
