A class act by President McAleese

McAleese returns more than €500,000 in allowances - The Irish Times - Thu, May 03, 2012: "FORMER PRESIDENT Mary McAleese has voluntarily returned more than €500,000 to the State in personal allowance funds that she did not use during her two terms in office.

There were no conditions imposed for the use of these funds and no obligation on Mrs McAleese to return any unused sums during or at the end of her 14 years in the post.

The Presidential Allowance is provided to the head of state to cover certain costs associated with the office including all official hospitality at the residence, Áras an Uachtaráin.

This includes dinners, lunches, receptions, garden parties and visits by other heads of state, such as Britain’s Queen Elizabeth and US president Barack Obama."

'via Blog this'