Ministers up ante on Flynn over allowance

MINISTERS last night ratcheted-up pressure on Fianna Fáil TD Beverly Flynn to surrender a €41,000 allowance intended for independent deputies.

Community and Gaeltacht Affairs Minister Eamon Ó Cuív and his cabinet colleague John Gormley launched strong attacks on the Mayo TD.

“I think she’s foolish. It’s unwise for her to claim that money,” Mr Ó Cuív told Today FM.

Green leader Mr Gormley was also scathing about Ms Flynn’s stance. “It sends out a very bad signal during these very difficult economic times and I welcome the fact that the Taoiseach has now said he will discuss the matter with her,” said Mr Gormley.

The cabinet rebukes came as Finance Minister Brian Lenihan warned the massive multimillion euro expenses and allowances bill run up by TDs and senators must be cut. The minister said he wanted to see the whole system overhauled in the wake of the Flynn row.

Ms Flynn’s refusal to give up the allowance has thrown the spotlight onto the financial perks and privileges of Oireachtas members.

During talks with Ceann Comhairle John O’Donoghue, Mr Lenihan has pushed for a reduction in the amount of taxpayers’ money parties in the Dáil are allowed to lavish on themselves.

Refusing to criticise Ms Flynn personally, the Finance Minister said he wanted an across-the-board drop in Oireachtas costs. “The expenditure of the Dáil and the Senate is controlled on an all-party basis by an Oireachtas commission.

“What I will do as Minister for Finance is to reduce the amount of money available to them, because I do understand the public unease at the amount of expenditure being spent on the perquisites of members of Daíl Éireann and Seanad Éireann. It is an issue that should be addressed,” he told RTÉ.

The cost to taxpayers of TDs expenses for overnight allowances, mileage and office costs for the first 10 months of last year alone amounted to €6.5 million.

That equals more than €39,000 for each TD, on top of generous other constituency allowances and the €40,000 parties receive for each of their TDs.

TDs can claim a travel and subsistence payment of €61.33 for those living within 15 miles of the Dáil and an overnight allowance of €139.67 for those travelling from more than 15 miles away.

Each deputy is also provided with €40,090 to employ a secretary, as well as general constituency travel allowances and the miscellaneous expense allowance.