Doctor, I Think I’m Bilocating

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Keith Swanick as a GP (left) And as Fianna Fail  Senator and his voting record – the poorest in Seanad Eireann by some distance

Further to an RTE Investigates investigation into missed votes – and expense claims – in the upper house.

Via RTÉ Investigates:

In the first seven months of this year, Dr [Keith]Swanick voted in just six of the 114 votes that took place.

Dr Swanick has claimed his full entitlements under the TAA scheme. As a Mayo resident, he is entitled to claim just over €28,000 each year. From June 2016 to the end of 2018, he received close to €73,000 in travel expenses.

Dr Swanick has a general practice in Belmullet, Co Mayo. Last year, he received €520,000 under the General Medical Services (GMS) scheme, the highest amount for any GP in Mayo. In a statement, Dr Swanick said this figure was a “gross amount” and did not represent his personal income.

On Monday 8 July, RTÉ Investigates phoned his surgery to see if he was available to see patients the following day, Tuesday 9 July, which was also a Seanad voting day.

We were told Dr Swanick would be available for appointments that Tuesday at 3.30pm and at 4.50pm.

Oireachtas records show Dr Swanick was recorded at Leinster House that Tuesday.

He was at Leinster House the following morning, Wednesday 10 July, at 9am and participated in a Health Committee meeting.

RTÉ Investigates asked Dr Swanick if, following the completion of surgery on Tuesday 9 July, at around 5pm, he drove to Leinster House – about a four-hour drive from Belmullet – to record his attendance that evening.

He did not respond.

Senators, expenses and the missed votes (RTÉ)

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22 thoughts on “Doctor, I Think I’m Bilocating

  1. Rob_G

    The more I hear about the Seanad, the more convinced I am that it was a mistake not to abolish it when we had the chance.

    1. GiggidyGoo

      They’re doing the same in the Dáil. When I go to work, I fob in and out. My attendance is recorded for the period of time I spend every day there. Not so in the Dáil. Gangsters Paradise

          1. GiggidyGoo

            Unfortunately, I’m not royalty, so I’m in the singular.
            Unlike yourself V, Vanessa, Frilly etc.

        1. GiggidyGoo

          No. BB. When you work, you’re legally entitled to breaks. When you do eventually enter the workforce, you’ll find out things like that. Hopefully you’ll be upfront with potential employers about your attraction to having no problem to do something illegal, should you get offered a job.

  2. Termagant

    I propose a technological solution
    I don’t know what it would be but I think it would be good if there was one

  3. V

    Take backsies for MMs rant – well rantish on Dara Murphy’s Ethics

    And who says the Confidence & Supply Agreement isn’t working huh?

  4. Jasper

    FG: Hi RTE, here is an extra 10M in funding.

    RTE: Oh, WOW! Thanks a (10) million, guys!

    FG: Don’t mention it.

    RTE: You’re not looking for anything in return are you?

    FG: Absolutely not, we wouldn’t dream of it.

    RTE: Gee wizz FG you really are a nice bunch…

    FG: On second thoughts, we have an election coming up in a couple of months, please stick the boot in to our opponents in any way you can

    Yes, I’m becoming cynical in my old age

Comments are closed.

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