TDs to share pain with major cuts in expenses
TDS are facing a major slashing of their expenses and allowances after being told they will "have to show the way" to other citizens.
The concept of unvouched expenses and honour-system attendance claims will have to end, according to well-placed sources. The "unjustifiable" allowance paid to Dublin-based TDs for travelling to the Dail will also be scrapped.
Two separate probes are under way into TDs' and senators' expenses, with predictions that budgeting for existing perks could fall by 33pc.
The Oireachtas Commission, which oversees the overall budget for the Houses of the Oireachtas, is planning major reforms of expenses rules -- knowing that the issue has already been lined up in the sights of 'An Bord Snip'.
Allocation
The Houses of the Oireachtas has a triennial, or three-year, budget envelope which expires this year. The new allocation is set to be very significantly reduced, especially as the Dail has not been able to spend its full allocation but will hand back 5pc to Finance Minister Brian Lenihan in respect of last year.
The minister has already expressed his concerns about the current regime to Ceann Comhairle John O'Donoghue, who heads the Oireachtas Commission by virtue of his office. Mr O'Donoghue has agreed that TD and senator expenses and allowances should be urgently reviewed. Final proposals are not expected to emerge for some time, however.
'An Bord Snip' sources have also pledged to probe the expenses, making the issue an example to others.
One well-placed source said: "We will look at it, but we haven't started to look at it. There is a widely held feeling that it wouldn't be credible to institute a programme of deep cuts across the board if you didn't look at what those in power are getting.
"They will have to be cut, from the point of view of the optics at the very least."
TDs are entitled to claim daily attendance allowances -- even though their presence or absence is never checked against the Dail voting record. They are also allowed a travel and subsistence payment, which comprises either €61.33 for those living within 15 miles of Leinster House, or an overnight allowance of €139.67 for those travelling from further away.
Total TD allowances, when aggregated, come to nearly €700 per sitting day, given that the Dail sits for less than 100 days a year.
TDs are claiming an average of €67,600 in expenses every year, apart from their €110,000 basic salary and €98,500 secretarial allowance. They do not have to provide receipts.
A senior source told the Irish Independent yesterday: "It is coming to an end. You couldn't have a situation where TDs are exempting themselves, while asking everyone else to feel the pain."
- Senan Molony Deputy Political Editor
