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Page last updated at 12:54 GMT, Wednesday, 8 April 2009 13:54 UK

Northern Ireland expenses in detail

Stephen Walker
BBC Northern Ireland political reporter

Michelle Gildernew
Ms Gildernew claimed just �352 in travel expenses

A detailed breakdown of MPs' travel expenses has shown that Michelle Gildernew's airfares to London totalled just £352 - even though she claimed £21,000 for staying away from home.

The Sinn Fein MP for Fermanagh and South Tyrone also claimed £1,500 in mileage.

The expenses show that Sinn Fein's five MPs spent a total of £12,273 on journeys to and from parliament even though the party refuses to take its seats.

West Belfast MP Gerry Adams' travel expenses to and from London totalled £1,506.

Conor Murphy, the MP for Newry and Armagh, spent £2,225 with his party colleague Martin McGuinness, the MP for Mid Ulster, accruing travel expenses of £2,485.

The MP for West Tyrone Pat Doherty chalked up costs of £4,129 travelling to and from London.

Each of the party's five MPs also claimed £21,000 for allowances MPs receive when they stay away from home.

Sammy Wilson
Sammy Wilson is a frequent flyer among MPs

Sammy Wilson, the DUP MP for East Antrim, who is also the Stormont environment minister, was one of Northern Ireland's most frequent flyers. He chalked up airfares to and from London at a cost of £15,451.

A DUP spokesman said it "was not surprising" that Sammy Wilson made such a high number of journeys to Westminster.

He claimed the party outperformed other parties when it came to attendance and voting records .

Last week it was revealed that Nigel Dodds, the DUP MP for North Belfast, had the highest expenses bill of local MPs.

He claimed a total of £171,609 towards travel, staffing and office running costs.

The DUP MP spent nearly £6,000 on trips to London that included his wife and family.



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