Ministers accused of cashing in on expenses loophole
MINISTERS were accused yesterday of "cashing in" after embarrassing revelations about an expenses loophole.
It is understood several members of Cabinet continue to pocket expenses cheques for running a constituency office -- even though their constituency offices are paid for in full by their departments.
Fine Gael branded the system a "scam" and said it was typical of a "morally bankrupt" Government.
Every TD is paid an annual amount of €8,888 on top of a six-figure salary to support their costs in running a constituency office.
Now it has emerged that members of the Cabinet have continued to accept the payment, even though ministers also receive a general expenses cheque from their department each year.
Meanwhile, civil servants answer constituents' queries. The general expenses paid to ministers is €13,390 and both payments are made out as personal cheques to the politician.
Finance Minister Brian Lenihan does not accept the allowance because of the duplication issue. And yesterday Energy Minister Eamon Ryan said he would no longer accept the second cheque.
But among those said to receive both are the Taoiseach, the Tanaiste, the Justice Minister, the Education Minister, and Social Affairs Minister.
There was caution in political circles over the revelation yesterday, with duplication in payments being one of the issues in relation to political expenses that has rocked parliament in Britain.
A government spokesman said last night: "All these expenses are under review in any case."
Benefits
The Oireachtas Commission has identified the double compensation to ministers as an anomaly -- and recently proposed to end such TD payments to ministers who were also in receipt of their separate benefits.
But one member of the Oireachtas Commission said yesterday: "It is duplication and it is indefensible."
And Fine Gael frontbencher Brian Hayes told the Irish Independent: "At a time when hard-pressed families everywhere are being hammered by Government levies and higher taxes, it's a disgrace that ministers should be able to cash in on their expenses at a double cost to taxpayers."
Labour spokeswoman Joan Burton said: "Every expense is paid for by ministers' departments, so there is absolutely no reason for them to claim this."
- Senan Molony
