Independents hit back at chief whip’s ‘cheap shot’ over expenses

Independent TDs have hit back at Government chief whip Paul Keogh, who said they put their €41,000 allowance in their “back pocket” without having to account for it.

Kildare TD Catherine Murphy said his comments were a “cheap shot” given that the Government has previously rejected her proposals to cut the allowance and ensure it is vouched.

Legislation to overhaul the leaders’ allowance — which is paid to parties on behalf of each of their TDs, and individually to Independents — is due to come before the Oireachtas before Christmas.

It will including a 10% reduction and a requirement to have it vouched for and audited. Its name will be changed from party leader’s allowance to parliamentary activities allowance.

Mr Keogh told RTÉ radio it was “totally unacceptable and wrong” that the non-party TDs could — up to now — put the allowance “into their back pocket totally unaccounted for”.

“In the current economic climate that we are in at the moment, that should be accounted for and should be up front.

“Parties have to account for every penny they get under the allowance system.”

Ms Murphy said the Government had a chance to change this when a Political Funding Bill went through the Dáil last year.

In July 2012, she proposed amendments which would have reduced the amount payable to TDs and introduced a system whereby they are required to vouch for spending under the allowance.

She believes the Government is trying to divert attention away from the anomaly whereby Labour and Fine Gael are claiming €100,000 each in respect of their TDs who lost the whip and are on the opposition benches.

Mr Keogh said this is something he would like looked at.

He said he would have “no problem” if the funding stayed with the TDs, rather than their former parties.