This IRA Diving Boom Boom Club is located on the Costa Smeralda in Sardinia for those interested in that kind of thing. Quidnunc's informant investigated, but could find no sign of military activity. Merely diving and sailing
Tomorrow will not be a happy day for some of our politicians. One Sunday paper has got a copy of the expenses paid to all named 225 deputies and senators in Leinster House between April 20th 1998 and April 21st 1999, and naturally it intends publishing the gory details. We already know that one member received expenses of £44,000.
But it is not as straighforward as it sounds. The sums given are for payments during the 12-month period, not claims, so in the cases of some poor account-keepers, considerable arrears are included. In addition, the assumption that the recipients of the largest expenses must come from the extremities such as counties Donegal, Cork and Kerry because of the high travel allowances, is incorrect. Arrears and work-related foreign travel bring some members' annual expenses claims way up to the top.
The wonder of it all, though, is that the deputies and senators who are dreading the revelations did nothing to stop them. Originally the Oireachtas PR office released the figures without the names. Several newspapers appealed to the Information Commissioner, Kevin Murphy, for the names. He heard their requests - not together as expected, but in the order he received them. He decided in favour of the first appeal and the newspaper concerned has received the details. It will publish them tomorrow. The politicians, however, who were notified of the appeal, had all summer to lodge an objection on a point of law. Not one of the 225 concerned did so. Obviously the anticipated hostile publicity from such action overrode their uneasiness at the revelations.
To counter the outcry, the Oireachtas is engaging in some damage limitation. This week the PR officer, Verona Ni Bhroinn, has been compiling a table showing that, far from gaining financially as a TD, politicians stand to lose from their occupation. The £4,000 telephone allowance covers only about half the costs when two offices and mobiles are considered; an overnight in Dublin costs £95, which leaves members with just over £1 for their meals from the allowance; car costs are enormous and miscellaneous expenses, such as contributions to local causes and drinks for helpers, are incalculable.
Meanwhile, politicians are genuinely worried about where the new disclosure culture, introduced by Eithne FitzGerald, will end. Most believe the legislation needs reform but are afraid to act. Private memos and briefing notes are already legitimate targets: details of civil servants' expenses and Garda and nurses' overtime, for example, are all on record as are social welfare recipients. Will all these people be the next to be named?