TDs and Senators are to be required to produce receipts in support of their expenses claims in future under recommendations released today.
The first annual report of the newly-established Oireachtas Commission, which was published today, shows elected members earned €13.8 million in expenses last year.
The total bill for running the Oireachtas was €83 million.
The Dail sat for 840 hours last year, the Seanad for 544, and committees for 960 hours - a total of 2,344 hours. This works out at around €35,000 per hour.
A total of €29 million was spent on administration and services, €27.5 million went on pay and pensions for TDs, senators and MEPs and pay and pensions of staff cost €9 million.
The Commission said a new research service for Opposition politicians will also be established to enable TDs to make the Government more accountable.
The Commission was set up in 2003 after a study by Deloitte & Touche found that Ireland failed to adequately resource its parliamentarians.
The body has a budget of €295 million for the years 2004-2006 to support the running of the Houses and to carry out statutory functions.
Commission chairman, Ceann Comhairle Dr Rory O'Hanlon, said the new body aimed to help TDs and senators discharge their mandates as parliamentarians and public representatives in a modern and efficient parliament.
"A key challenge for the Commission going forward will be to enhance the public understanding of the Houses by developing the way they interact with the people," he said.