Commission aims to cut politicians' expenses

Expenses for TDs and Senators are to be cut by 10% under plans agreed last night.

The proposals by the Oireachtas Commission will shave €4m of the cost of running Leinster House, it was claimed.

At a specially convened meeting, the commission agreed to contact Finance Minister Brian Lenihan with recommendations to reduce the daily allowance paid to Dublin members, reduce the number of Oireachtas committees, cut the free postage allowance paid to elected members, decrease mileage rates, and abolish special secretarial allowances for ministers.

The commission also agreed to reduce the travel budget of committees, it said.

John O'Donoghue, Ceann Comhairle and commission chairman, said although Mr Lenihan has responsibility for any changes to the allowances system, the commission could make recommendations.

"Therefore, given the current difficult financial situation which we all find ourselves in, we feel it is incumbent on us as politicians to take a lead in ensuring that greater transparency and value for money are achieved when it comes to parliamentarians' allowances," he said.

"While it is widely acknowledged that there is a real need for efficiency in the running of a modern democracy and parliament, there must also be some recognition that members of the Oireachtas need to be provided with the resources to serve our constituents when asked to do so.

"The challenge for us is to do this in a wholly transparent and open way which can bring greater confidence to the system."

TDs and Senators claim expense of €12.6m a year, out an annual Oireachtas Commission budget of €137m.