Confusion was everywhere in the replies to questions by The Irish Times last week asked of a TD and Senator who had been paid travel expenses by the Oireachtas while they were on leave.

The Irish Times reported that Social Democrats leader Holly Cairns repaid just over €8,500 in travel and accommodation expenses that were mistakenly paid to her by the Oireachtas while she was on maternity leave last year.

Separately, the paper reported that Fianna Fáil senator Imelda Goldsboro was paid €16,799 in travel and accommodation expenses while out sick for eight months.

When asked if she would repay €16,799 travel expenses paid to her while on sick leave, Goldsboro appeared to confuse salary and expenses. Initially, she said she did not think repaying the expenses was necessary and that she had continued working as a Senator while on leave.

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Her party later said in a statement on her behalf that she was engaging with the Houses of the Oireachtas about the payments.

The Social Democrats, replying on behalf of Cairns to questions about the travel expenses paid to her while she was on maternity leave, said questions should instead be asked of the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform about a “serious and discriminatory flaw in the maternity leave scheme for Oireachtas members”.

The party said: “Deputy........

© The Irish Times