WE SHOULD BE TOLD HOW OUR MONEY IS BEING SPENT

NO one seems to know why the Office of the President is shrouded in secrecy. There is no apparent reason why the public is not allowed to know how taxpayers’ money is spent when it is sent to Aras an Uachtarain.

Why does Freedom of Information legislation not extend to the Presidency? And why is the public not allowed know when the President uses the government jet? Every time the Taoiseach or a minister uses the jet, details are posted on the Defence Forces website. But not so for the President.

The President rightfully represents the country on the world stage and routinely hosts dignitaries in the Aras. For decades there have been few, if any, complaints about our presidents or what they have cost us.

The amount of money we give the office is not the issue — but we should be entitled to know how that money is spent. Every detail of government spending in all other departments can be scrutinised under the Freedom of Information Act.

Secretaries general are regularly hauled before the Dail’s Public Account Committee to explain spending decisions in their departments.

But when was the last time you saw a senior official from the Office of the President talking to TDs about their budget?

The President’s salary is a massive €325,507. The current office holder, Michael D Higgins, gifted 23.5pc back to the State and gets €249,014 a year.

Most, if not all, of that cash is walking-around money for the President or maybe he is more fiscally responsible and keeps it in the bank. After all, what expenses does a President have? A fine detached house with a large garden comes with the job. As does an entire household of staff who prepare meals, do laundry and wash the skirting boards. Transport is provided by Garda drivers who chauffeur the President back and forth to various events and/or personal engagements. Most foreign travel, albeit generally workrelated, is also part of the gig. Not to mention the free tickets you get for top sporting events.

So it is not too much too ask that details of how taxpayers’ money is spent by the Office of the President are published.

Maybe the next president, whether it be Mr Higgins or not, will consider a change of policy when they take office.