Donegal’s senators paid almost €123,000 in expenses

Figures collated and publishjed by the Sunday Independent show that between December 1st 2008 and December 1st 2009, Donegal’s three senators claimed almost €123,000 in expenses between them.
Of the 60 members of Seanad Eireann, Fianna Fail Senator Cecilia Keavney was the highest claiming Donegal member, with expenses of just over €52,000, the 25th highest claimant in the Seanad. She sits on a number of bodies, including the Joint Committee on Education and Science, the Council of Europe, the Oireachtas Commission and the British Irish Interparliamentary Body.
Her party colleague Senator Brían O’Domhnaill claimed just over €38,000, and was ranked in 37th place. He is the Government Spokesperson for Lifelong Learning, Youth Work and School Transport, and also sits on the Education and Science committee.
Sinn Fein Senator Pearse Doherty was ranked in 43rd place with expenses of just over €31,000. He is his party’s Oireachtas spokesperson on Education, Transport and Regional Development.