Ex-taoisigh to lose phone and VIP airport perks

TAXPAYERS will no longer have to foot the bill for the mobile phones or secretarial assistance for former taoisigh, while access to VIP airport facilities will also be withdrawn.

Taoiseach Enda Kenny said entitlements for former taoisigh like free phones and staff allowances will be cut within weeks.

He has already informed former taoisigh of the decision.

But the removal of entitlements will see free access to plush airport facilities removed, as well as expenses cut for computer equipment and all mobile phone costs from January 1, a spokeswoman for the Taoiseach confirmed.

The latest figures for the cost of mobile phones and calls for taoisigh, amounted to more than €4,214, from January to August of this year. Over half of this cost for the eight months related to mobile phone expenses for Bertie Ahern.

In 2010, mobile phone costs amounted to more than €5,029 for four former taoisigh.

Former leaders of the country will also see their entitlement to expenses for secretarial assistance removed.

Up to October, this cost for five former taoisigh amounted to about €174,000 for the year.

Mr Ahern again claimed some of the largest amounts for this expense since stepping down from office, which included claims for secretarial work amounting to €114,000 in 2009, €106,000 in 2010 and nearly €71,000 so far this year.

Under the terms of an initiative introduced by the Department of Finance in 2001, salaries were offered for secretarial assistants. A former taoiseach could employ two secretarial assistants for a period not exceeding five years from the date they stepped down.

After that period, only one secretarial assistant could be employed. The initiative also includes provision for the purchase of computer equipment.

The late Dr Garrett FitzGerald made use of computer equipment expense claims to the value of €1,913, along with Brian Cowen for €1,440. Both this expense claim and the secretarial assistance scheme will be removed from the start of next year.

Mr Kenny also said that payment for their access to VIP facilities at airports will also be removed from January 1.

This system allows them a private check in and security screening service. Latest figures show it amounted to a cost of €3,871 in 2009.