Sir, – In the Dáil, Eamon Gilmore defended cuts in allowances for Communion and Confirmation payments, saying that this was intended to limit “lavish expenditure” (Dáil report, February 3rd).
These payments, which are usually made to those in the lower income brackets, were up to €305 for a once-time event.
Having seen Mr Gilmore’s expenses from March to December 2011, not even a full year, coming in at €17,543, would he not consider this “lavish expenditure” on top of his €169,275 income? – Yours, etc,