Sinn Fein MPs do not take their parliamentary seats

The 2005/06 payments show that, on average, Northern Ireland's MPs claimed just over £104,000 each.

The DUP's nine MPs claimed a total of just over £1.1m, while the SDLP's three representatives claimed £400,236.

Sinn Fein's five MPs, who do not take their seats at Westminster or accept a salary, claimed £200,000. The UUP's Lady Sylvia Hermon claimed £122,333.

DUP expenses Ian Paisley £125,670 Peter Robinson £133,490 Nigel Dodds £146,451 Jeffrey Donaldson £152,722 Iris Robinson £130,184 Sammy Wilson £117,199 David Simpson £96,389 Gregory Campbell £139,014 William McCrea £106,238

Jeffrey Donaldson, the DUP's MP for Lagan Valley, claimed the most in allowances with a figure of £152,722.

Out of Northern Ireland's MPs who sit at Westminster, DUP Upper Bann MP David Simpson claimed the least expenses with a figure of £96,389.

Sinn Fein expenses Gerry Adams £46,251 Martin McGuinness £42,613 Michelle Gildernew £40,898 Conor Murphy £38,910 Pat Doherty £38,049

MPs are paid a basic salary of £59,686 and a pension. Their allowances include office staffing costs and travel.

Sinn Fein's MPs do not claim salaries

The total cost of all of the UK MPs' expenses came to almost £86.8m, an increase of nearly £6m on the previous year.

SDLP expenses Mark Durkan £130,294 Alasdair McDonnell £142,304 Eddie McGrady £127,638

The average UK expenses claim for 2005/06 came to about £131,000 per MP.

Up to £87,276 is available for salaries for researchers, secretaries and other staff.

Other allowances can be claimed for travel on parliamentary business, office costs, stationery, postage and computer equipment.

MPs representing constituencies outside central London can claim about £20,000 for the cost of staying near Parliament.