At a time in Northern Ireland when money is tight, when families are struggling to make ends meet, the Northern Ireland Assembly Commission has disclosed the cost of their MLA Roadshows held at eight venues across Northern Ireland in September and October.

The Assembly Commission spent almost £40,000 of tax payers money to host eight events which were poorly advertised, attended by a total of 458 members of the public, amounting to a cost to the public purse of £85.69 a head. 

The speaker of the Assembly, Willie Hay said that the events were important for 'public perception' and perhaps Mr. Hay is right for when the event was held in East Belfast only one MLA out of those scheduled to attend, actually did, leaving some members of the public feeling bemused and insulted. The East Belfast MLA Dawn Purvis was left to field all questions on behalf of the whole Assembly.

Whether it is an act of 'shear arrogance' as one of our users put it, you decide, but failing to attend an event you arranged, knowing that some of your electorate have gathered to lobby you and knowing that you are charging them as tax payers to host the event, is indeed bizarre. £85.60 Per Head - On Their Head Be It!