Flynn’s €41,000 - Arrogance beyond belief

IF talks about the national pay deal are to occupy some of Taoiseach Brian Cowen’s time this month he has another meeting that should not take too long.

He is to meet Mayo deputy Beverly Flynn to discuss an annual allowance of €41,000 for independent TDs which she still enjoys even though she was readmitted to Fianna Fáil last year.

When we broke the story last Friday it seemed no more than an oversight, but Ms Flynn’s statement yesterday, that she will claim the allowance, puts a different complexion on the story.

Showing the brass neck and arrogance that led her to a libel action against RTÉ, which she lost, but left RTÉ short €1.2m of the €2.4m expenses awarded against her, Ms Flynn insisted she was entitled to pocket the cash as compensation for the years she spent as an independent.

We must hope, however feebly, that Ms Flynn can tell right from wrong no matter what the legislation decrees. If she cannot then it is up to Mr Cowen to do so. If he is the kind of leader we need in these desperate times it won’t take five minutes.

If Ms Flynn claims the allowance she will forfeit what remains of her reputation and cause further damage to our political system.

Mr Cowen cannot allow this to happen.