It was discovered that Independent Senator Averil Power had printed 73,000 copies of her 2016 calendar at the expense of the tax payers.
The figures were released by Leinster House authorities earlier today after a Freedom of Information request was put forward by the Irish Times.
The former Fianna Fáil senator had ordered the A4 calendars through the Oireachtas service which can print constituency material for members at no direct costs to themselves.
Based on previous figures, it's estimated that the calendars would have involved materials costing over €1,800, not including the time spent by staff on printing.
Speaking to RTE News At One earlier today, Senator Averil explained:
"It just has local information about services which people might have to use over Christmas such as D Doc for those in need of medical care while their GP is away. [...} I think there is a world of difference between sending out a calendar with useful information about local services and contact details for seeking my help and a Christmas card that has no useful information on it."
Earlier this week, Oireachtas sources said there was no truth to claims by Renua leader Lucinda Creighton, who said one TD had ordered 85,000 Christmas cards through the service - which would have cost around €900.
However, it has been revealed by that same Freedom Of Information request that Senator Power is just one of 22 Oireachtas members who placed printing orders in recent weeks.
