Michael Healy-Rae has defended his decision to ask the Health Minister Simon Harris more than 100 questions in the Dáil in just one day last week.

The Kerry TD said he was determined to get answers for his constituents who want to know why they have been left waiting for medical treatments.

TDs often put pressure on Ministers by raising issues publicly in the Oireachtas, but posing questions comes at a price with the average fee €200.

That means that Michael Healy-Rae’s 115 inquiries could have cost the Exchequer around €23,000.

Speaking in a radio interview this morning, Deputy Healy-Rae denied he was wasting anyone’s money.

He said: “If you think I’ll come on your radio programme and make an apology for doing my job, you’ve another think coming.

“If mothers and fathers of sick children or of elderly people contact me and say ‘Look Michael, we want you to help’…If you think I’m worried what people in the papers will say about me, or what people will say it costs to answer questions…I won’t be found wanting to do my job.”