Dáil bar bills left unpaid look set to be written off as there is "no realistic prospect of recovery of the sums due".

That's according to an Oireachtas report given to politicians.

The Irish Times says a revised credit policy is being developed to restrict the time period TDs and Senators can settle their accounts.

Figures released last year showed 62 politicians had apparently left an unpaid Dáil bar bill of more than €5,000 after the summer break.

Wicklow publican Paul Moynihan says no other bar would get away with this.

"I don't think any publican in the country could tolerate that at the moment. Business is tough at the moment.

"Maybe the Dáil bar is slightly different, maybe they don't have the expense that ordinary publicans have, but there's not many businesses that could sustain that."

"Generally speaking, I don't think there's much credit given in bar trade operations.

"I think things have changed drastically in the last few years.

"I think a big help to the pub trade is the debit/credit card machine that basically nobody can be stuck for cash anymore".