THE NEW clock-in system that will monitor the attendance of TDs and Senators at Leinster House was broadly welcomed by the political parties yesterday.
In its first day of operation, only two TDs, both from Fianna Fáil, openly criticised the system.
The two main Opposition parties said there had been no adverse comments from their members.
At the Fianna Fáil parliamentary party meeting last night, Galway East TD Noel Treacy raised the issue, arguing the Oireachtas should not be allowed ask its TDs to clock in.
Máire Hoctor, a TD for Tipperary North, supported Mr Treacy’s position. However, none of the party’s other TDs and Senators expressed opposition to the new measures.
Fianna Fáil has said it strongly supports the establishment of the new system.
Under a complete recasting of the expenses regime, parliamentarians will no longer claim mileage and daily allowances, but will be paid a yearly allowance, depending on the distance between their constituencies and Leinster House.
However, the allowance will only be paid on the basis that TDs have attended Leinster House for 120 days each year.
Their attendance will be verified by a requirement to sign-in, either in a register, or electronically using a special fob – a plastic tag that can be attached to a key ring.
There are a number of clock-in points available within the Leinster House complex.
Fine Gael and Labour yesterday said they welcomed the move.
Fine Gael whip Paul Kehoe said the party had had no complaints, adding that some TDs had requested sign-in points at the gates of Leinster House.
Similarly, Labour whip Emmet Stagg said that there was a wide degree of acceptance for the new system.
“Every TDs knows where we stand. The public know where we stand. I did not hear one complaint about it,” said Mr Stagg.
Under the new system, a raft of allowances payable to each Oireachtas member – including mileage, overnight accommodation, office and constituency expenses – will be replaced by a single parliamentary allowance made up of two block payments: one for travel and accommodation; the second a so-called “public representative allowance”.
It is the first time TDs and Senators will be required to clock in.
The travel and accommodation allowance will range from €12,000 a year for Dublin TDs, to €37,850 for those living 360km or more from Leinster House. Those qualifying for the highest amount would be confined to a number of deputies living in west Cork, west Kerry and Donegal.
Senators will be paid a reduced amount as there are no payments for constituency travel. The amounts will vary from €7,000 each year for Dublin-based Senators, to €32,850 for those 360km or more from Leinster House.
Attendance for 80 per cent of sitting days will have to be verified by TDs and Senators to qualify for the full amount.
The second allowance will allow TDs to receive an unvouched amount of €15,000 a year or a fully vouched amount of €25,700 a year.
This is paid towards meeting the costs of constituency office expenses including mobile telephones, home telephones, advertising, publishing of leaflets and room hire. Any TD who exceeds the €15,000 threshold will have to provide receipts for the entire amount.
