Paying politicians - Flynn can’t get €40,000 and stay in FF

ANYONE dismayed by the self-serving cynicism of our political system will be again outraged by the news that Mayo Fianna Fáil deputy Beverly Flynn will pocket an extra €40,000 a year tax free for the next three years.

This payment will be in addition to her TD’s salary of €122,000 and up to €50,000 in unaccounted for — and again tax-free — expenses.

The deputy, who was unable to settle her €2.4 million legal bills after a failed libel action against RTÉ, will get the €40,000 payment because she was elected as an independent rather than as a FF candidate.

Ms Flynn was readmitted to Fianna Fáil last April under the patronage of former taoiseach Bertie Ahern.

We have been told that we can all expect our standards of living to fall significantly in 2009 and that government services will be curtailed. Even if that was not the case, this payment would be unacceptable. In current circumstances it is a scandal. Is there anyone in Fianna Fáil with the gumption to put a stop to it?

Ms Flynn must be asked to forego the €40,000 or quit the party. She can’t have both.