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TDS AND SENATORS who lose their seats at general or by-elections could in future face court action if they do not return unspent allowances under the terms a new bill published yesterday.
The government yesterday published legislation to cut the party leaders’ allowance paid to political parties as well as independent TDs and Senators by 10 per cent and improve the reporting and auditing of how the money is spent.
One of the provisions of the Oireachtas Ministerial and Parliamentary Offices Amendment Bill is that if an independent TD or Senator is not re-elected they will have to repay any money unspent from the allowance within four months of the end of the financial year in which the allowance was paid.
If the money is not repaid within the stated time frame then the Oireachtas may pursue ousted TDs and Senators through the courts to collect the debt owed.
The same will also apply to political parties whose parliamentary leader will be required to repay unspent allowances within the 120 day timeframe or face legal action.
The 12-year-old legislation that this bill amends does not contain any provision for repayment of unspent allowances. The new regime is likely to mean closer scrutiny of what TDs and Senators use the allowance for.
TDs and Senators currently receive €41,152 and €23,383 respectively but under the new regime this will be reduced to around €37,000 and €20,000 respectively with parliamentarians required to outline how they spend the money.
The new bill published yesterday gives the Standards in Public Office Commission more oversight over the allowance, which will now be known Parliamentary Activities Allowance under the new law.
Under the current and proposed legislation the allowance can be spent on “expenses arising from parliamentary activities” including research, polling, hiring new staff, research and training, and entertainment.
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We should highlight to FG and Labour when they come around at the local elections about the huge increases in DIRT blocking people trying to save any chance of earning any interest
“tax on savings”
By their massive on savings, the Government has made sure Hyatt it is not worthwhile putting any money on deposit. Inflation would mean that you lose out by saving.
This is not a very enlightened policy.
I’m saving for a jetski and a breakfast roll. Maybe a fill of petrol as well
Taxed on income. DIRT tax on my savings. Current deposit accounts earn about 1% after tax. What’s the point in tying money up for that little?
The ssia paid off my mortgage and it was great, but the decrease of the post office deposit rates as lobbied by our, yeah really our beloved banks have reduced the incentive to save, deffo use tax allowance on AVC’s tho.
What I find amusing is the medja talking heads and most politicians seem to hate people saving. Then the gov taxes the life out of it, the ECB and banks rip off savers with phantom interest rates and that french commie Lagrade wont be happy until everyone’s savings are confiscated.
The economic climate reflects the weather it rains everyday for people in this country
Ogochukwu is really laughing and having lols at the Journals comedy ..lo Yes Ogochukwu tries to put away something every two years ..lol maybe €50 lol
I can’t red thumb your comments enough!. You’re an idiot !
Lol
Verbal diarrhea
lol thank you for you lovely comment lol
does it worry me that you can red thumb lol next time I’ll red thumb myself lol
You’re an idiot too ! lol
But today is a rainy day??
If the rain keeps up & we are saving for a rainy day. We would all be rich people.
have your say