CEANN Comhairle John O'Donoghue managed to run up a hotel bill nearly three times larger than his Oireachtas' colleagues while on a junket to South Africa last year.

O'Donoghue - known as 'the Bull' - was one of eight representatives who enjoyed the luxury surroundings of a five-star Cape Town hotel in April 2008.

However, while the seven cross party TDs and Senators kept their five-night hotel bills in the region of €1,200, Mr O'Donoghue's bill exceeded €3,000.

Ironically, the hugely expensive junket -- which cost taxpayers €64,000 -- was undertaken so that Oireachtas' members could attend a conference on poverty.

The Herald previously revealed how Mr O'Donoghue and his charges travelled to South Africa where they stayed at the five-star Westin Grand Cape Town Arabella Quay hotel.

Luxuries

The average cost per head including flights was €7,990, but a breakdown of costs obtained under the Freedom of Information Act shows that Mr O'Donoghue's was the most expensive at €9,047.

The reason for this was that while other travellers were paying an average of €1,220 for their hotel stay, the Ceann Comhairle had the taxpayer splash out €3,092 for his extra luxuries.

The bill will add further fuel to the outrage about Mr O'Donoghue's lavish spending, while on State-sponsored trips.

He has already come under fire for his use of public money while serving as Minister for Arts, Sports and Tourism.

However this is the first time that his expenditure as Ceann Comhairle has been called into question. The Herald queried the varying prices, but at the time of going to print a spokesperson for the Houses of the Oireachtas Commission was unable to solve the puzzle.

The Pushing Back The Frontiers Of Poverty conference looked at migrant rights, human rights, climate change and the situation in Gaza.

The hotel provided the Irish delegation with an all-white "Heavenly Bed", custom-designed pillow-top mattress set, a cosy down blanket, crisp sheets, comforter, duvet and plush pillows.

The bathrooms had under-floor heating and "Heavenly Showers" boasting double shower heads, extra-wide jet radius, and various spray settings.

It was situated at the entrance to the historic Victoria & Alfred Waterfront and was within easy walking distance of Cape Town's most popular attractions. Other trips undertaken by Mr O'Donoghue last year included engagements in Berlin, Weimar, Washington, Houston, New Orleans, Cape Town, Paris and Toulouse.

Revelations

The Kerry TD has been embroiled in controversy for most of the summer as seemingly endless revelations about his travel habits emerged.

It was also confirmed this week that the embattled Dail chief has received nearly €330,000 in allowances and expenses on top of his basic TD salary since his appointment as Ceann Comhairle.

A number of public representatives have now called for a full explanation, with Fine Gael Senator Paschal Donohoe telling the Herald: "Our Oireachtas is now led by a man who is -- literally -- a waster."

kdoyle@herald.ie

- Kevin Doyle