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?

The Government need to tell the voters what practical consequences arise for members and former members of the Oireachtas who are the subject of adverse findings by a tribunal of inquiry. It is simply not sufficient for Labour to be the moral conscience of government while Fine Gael shrug their corporal shoulders with supercilious indifference, given the gravity of these findings.

The Government reform agenda ought to also recognise that the remuneration and allowances payable to Oireachtas members must be determined independently of themselves to avoid the taint of being compromised.

Myles Duffy

Glenageary

Co Dublin