Ferris asked to be marked present in Dáil... while on trip to China

A SINN Féin TD asked to be marked down as present in Leinster House while on a nineday trip to China.

Martin Ferris, one of five politicians who visited Hong Kong and China earlier this year, opted to have his daily subsistence expenses of around €155 cut by €60 per day. This was so the days could be counted in calculating his travel and accommodation allowance back in Ireland. This is known as ‘reconciliation’ of attendance, meaning Mr Ferris would be marked present for five days from 23 April to 27 April.

TDs and senators must clock in for 120 days each year to get full payment of their travel and accommodation allowance. For Mr Ferris, who lives in Co. Kerry, this is worth €32,715 annually. TDs who fall short of the 120 days, must pay back 1% of the total allowance for each day missed.

Asked why he had sought reconciliation, Mr Ferris said: ‘When you’re away, you reconcile for the days of attendance. I suggest you talk to the clerk [of the Dáil] about it.’

None of the other five politicians on the trip sought an attendance reconciliation.