THE OIREACHTAS has released a schedule of what it described as “substantial cuts” that have been imposed on allowances paid to TDs and Senators.
The changes, ordered by Minister for Finance Brian Lenihan last month, will see a 10 per cent overall reduction in members’ expenses. The Oireachtas Commission agreed to that level of cuts last February in light of the recession and adverse public reaction to the level of unvouched expenses.
An analysis of the revised allowances show that constituency telephone allowance for a TD has dropped from €6,348 to €5,700 and that a TD’s miscellaneous expense allowance (which remains unvouched) will now be €5,000 compared with the previous expense of €5,482.
Another unvouched allowance, travel within constituencies, is also reduced. It falls from €2,745 to €2,500 for travelling within the border of smaller three-seat constituencies and to €8,000 (down from €8,782) for larger constituencies. This allowance is separate to the mileage expenses paid to TDs for travelling to and from Leinster House from their constituencies.
The mileage allowance is paid irrespective of how the member travels, be it by car, rail or bus.
The Oireachtas, in a statement released yesterday, said the latest cuts demonstrated the willingness on the part of members to “provide leadership in challenging times”.
“[They] are in addition to the reduction earlier this year of 25 per cent to mileage rates paid to Oireachtas members for travelling between their constituencies and Leinster House,” noted the statement.
“Members of the Oireachtas have now undertaken the delivery of substantial reduction in their incomes and the level of support they receive towards the costs involved in administering their constituency duties effectively,” it added.
A substantial number of Fianna Fail TDs originally opposed the reductions and some 30 backbenchers met Mr Lenihan in July to oppose some of the changes which were proposed, including a monthly expenses payment and a clocking-in system.
Payment of allowances and expenses to TDs, Senators and Government Ministers has been the cause of considerable controversy this year. It follows the publication of the details of high levels of spending on foreign travel.
Ceann Comhairle John O’Donoghue, in particular, has faced a barrage of criticism concerning costs associated with foreign travel in his previous post as minister for Arts, Sports and Tourism.
Documents released under the Freedom of Information Act revealed the foreign travel bill for Mr O’Donoghue, his wife Kate Ann O’Donoghue and his private secretary amounted to more than €100,000. He also interrupted an official trip abroad to return to Kerry by Government jet in order to attend an event in his constituency.
Mr O’Donoghue is expected to respond to the criticism before the Dáil reconvenes next week by means of a written statement to TDs and Senators.
