Sign in. It’s quick, free and it’s up to you.
An account is an optional way to support the work we do. Find out more.
MINISTER FOR PUBLIC Expenditure and Reform Brendan Howlin has said that it is not the pattern of the current administration for the State to pay for ministers’ spouses to accompany them on foreign trips.
His comments came after a suggestion yesterday by Chairman of the Public Accounts Committee, John McGuinnness, that a case could be made for the costs to be covered.
Speaking ahead of the Cabinet meeting at Government Buildings this morning, Howlin said he didn’t think that was ever the pattern and stressed that “it’s not the norm or the pattern for this administration.”
The minster said McGuinness “made his own explanation and people can draw their own conclusions”.
When asked if he thought McGuinness should resign from his position over the comments, Howlin said that would be a matter for the committee itself.
“He has a very important role to play,” he said. “That committee is probably the foremost committee of the house and we’re getting further power to the committee under legislation I’m bringing in now.”
Howlin also said that he thought it important that the work of the executive be separate from that of committees and that is why it should be left to the PAC to “make determinations on the suitability of an individual”.
To embed this post, copy the code below on your site
Does the bumpy recovery refer to Ireland as a country or the IMF as a company or perhaps vice versa?
Wow the banks have paid back 3.36 billion. That’s big of them. How much have *we* given them? That’s why mums go to Iceland!
will be interested to hear the justification for cutting disability allowance to 16 – 18 year olds. Already this year parents have had the reviews of domicilary care and carers allowance, funding of special dietry foods terminated, cuts to personal assistants hang in balance and now another uncertainty to anticipate. Life is tough enough for parents of and persons with disabilities. I feel many would choose to be taxpayers is that were possible or facilitated. Advisors are looking in the wrong direction.
cull the advisor’s not the allowances!
Mexico – south american?
Mexico is part of North, not South, America, as it is on the North American continental landmass..
It’s Central American. Along with Guatemala etc.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/North_America
Sorry to disagree but it is in fact a part of North America
Here is a complete list of North American Countries
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_sovereign_states_and_dependent_territories_in_North_America
I believe this settles the issue
Damn farmers,they have been looked after too well by the EU for too long.They will never be happy.There are more deserving harder working people out there who get no subsidies,strict quotas,no guaranteed wage,horrendous working conditions,and their overall salary is weather dependant,as is the farmers.And they get arrested and fined tens of thousands of euros for having a surplus(unintentional) to their quota,which they tried to distribute for free to the Irish public last week from the pier.These people have been overlooked for too long,as the farmers have had the ear of our governments for decades,and that is because they are over the horizon doing their best to survive,and not here to stand up for themselves.
Thanks for the geography post daithi. The nine on Tuesday AND info on continental landmass!!
Your very welcome, its easy to assume that North America ends on the southern border of the United States but such is in fact not the case. Sorry if anyone is offended as such is not my intent.
disgraceful that this so called ‘advisory group’ is again going after young disabled peoples income, who are these so called advisor’s? and how much are they getting paid? maybe we should start with cut’s to their numbers and pay, ironic that in recent weeks there has been a lot of talk about childrens rights and protecting children, yet this cowedly shower of overpaid self important pen pushers wants to cut or remove their financial support ! how low will this government stoop to please it’s euromasters?
Lower than a snakes belly,that is what the Irish government are……….snakes.Nepotist snakes.
have your say