Oireachtas expenses - Political elite remain untouchable

WILL nobody stop the political gravy train? With the country up to its eyes in debt, it is disgraceful that 26 Independent senators and TDs are receiving annual allowances of thousands of euro at the taxpayers’ expense — utterly unvouched and untaxed.

Described as a “party leader’s allowance”, the payment was introduced by ex-finance minister Charlie McCreevy during the Celtic Tiger era with the aim of offsetting the disadvantage Independents had against powerful party machines. Whatever about justifying the principle of this allowance, the fact that it remains unvouched and untaxed is unconscionable.

The latest revelation has been aptly described as the best kept political secret for some time, and is certain to heighten demands for the abolition of the Seanad. Despite Taoiseach Enda Kenny’s 2009 pledge to axe the upper house, it continues to roll down the track on its extravagant way.