I quit, says political expenses watchdog
Oireachtas audit chief left 'seething' over lack of reform
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Monday September 07 2009
A TOP accountant charged with overseeing political expenses is quitting his post in fury at the lack of action by TDs and senators to reform the system.
Tom O'Higgins is the highly respected chairman of the Houses of the Oireachtas Commission's audit committee, which advises on value for money and control issues.
He was reportedly left "seething" by the refusal of politicians to heed his concerns -- particularly over the expenses and allowances they pay themselves.
Mr O'Higgins, a former senior partner at accountants PriceWaterhouse Coopers with impeccable international credentials, is known to have favoured the introduction of vouched expenses for TDs and senators. He also believes there should be an annual cap on the amount of expenses any TD or senator can pocket under particular categories.
Mr O'Higgins' resignation is due to take effect from the commission's next meeting, the Irish Independent can reveal.
His shock departure is set to spark further controversy in the debate over political profiteering through special allowances.
Attempts at reform have lacked progress, even though Finance Minister Brian Lenihan called for TDs and senators to lead by example in taking financial pain.
Mr O'Higgins has already submitted a resignation letter which is due to take effect this month.
A spokesman for the Houses of the Oireachtas Commission confirmed to the Irish Independent: "Chairman Tom O'Higgins has indicated his intention to resign at the next meeting of the audit committee."
Ironically, the head of the Oireachtas Commission is Ceann Comhairle John O'Donoghue.
Mr O'Donoghue himself racked up huge bills in attending sporting and cultural events as Minister for Arts, Sports and Tourism, including a bill for €9,000 for limousine use in brief airport transfers on a single trip.
Payments
He also landed the taxpayer with a bill of more than €400 for the hire of headgear for his wife on a visit to the races.
The Irish Independent can also reveal that while extra €20,000 payments to Dail committee chairs were halved and other payments abolished, the annual payment to Houses of the Oireachtas Commission members has been reduced only fractionally -- from €20,000 to €16,000.
This is the body expected to introduce reforms for ordinary members -- plans which have encountered cross-party backbench resistance.
The departure of Mr O'Higgins -- amid claims that he has been rebuffed in repeated attempts to see Mr O'Donoghue -- will prove a blow to politicians, who could now face a row similar to that involving British MPs over the laxity of the Fees Office at the House of Commons.
A spokesman for Mr O'Donoghue has denied that Mr O'Higgins has been blocked in attempts to be heard by the Ceann Comhairle.
Mr O'Higgins has, meanwhile, declined to comment for reasons of professional ethics.
However, a senior political source said last night: "It is a pretty extraordinary thing for someone like Tom O'Higgins to walk away. It will send shudders through the system."
TDs and senators have commonly been claiming so much in expenses and allowances that it exceeds their annual salaries. Sums claimed on mileage alone can run into tens of thousands of euro.
The Houses website describes the watchdog as a key committee, saying it "oversees and advises on risk management, internal controls, and value for money issues".
- Senan Molony Deputy Political Editor
