Lowry’s many allowances should be questioned

Fine Gael ministers have robustly defended the principle of meeting Deputy Michael Lowry after the publication of adverse findings against him by the Moriarty Tribunal on the grounds that he has a mandate to represent the voters of Tipperary North (Irish Examiner, Apr 6).

Lowry was elected TD without affiliation or special status. Why, therefore, is he being paid an annual tax-free Parliamentary Leaders Allowance of €41,152, in addition to an annual tax-free Parliamentary Standard Allowance of €50,708 and an annual tax-free Travel and Accommodation Allowance of €33,350 per year?

The potential value of these tax-free allowances to Deputy Lowry over the life of the 31st Dáil is €626,050, payable in addition to an annual salary of €92,672. What precisely is it that he is leading and what credentials does he have to be legitimately defined as a parliamentary leader?