Report says Oireachtas has exceeded targeted cuts by €10m

THE OIREACHTAS has managed to exceed the targeted cuts recommended by the McCarthy report by €10 million, according to its annual report published yesterday.

In its report for 2009, the Houses of the Oireachtas Commission discloses that it has reduced its three-year budget for 2010 to 2012 by €33 million, surpassing the €23 million recommended by the group identifying public sector savings chaired by Colm McCarthy.

The overall allocation given to the body which runs the Dáil and the Seanad was €393 million for the three-year envelope up until the end of 2009. The out-turn was €360 million.

The secretary general of the commission, clerk of the Dáil Kieran Coughlan, also said the commission was managing 26 vacancies and there would be a big increase in the number of unfilled vacancies by 2012.

A statement on behalf of the commission yesterday said it had responded to the changed financial climate last year by implementing substantial savings.

“As part of cost savings, the allowances and expenses of Oireachtas members have been subject to significant reform and cuts.”

Mileage rates for TDs and Senators were reduced by 25 per cent and other allowances and expenses were reduced by 10 per cent.

Other allowances were abolished and the travel budget for Oireachtas committees was also reduced by 50 per cent.

Notwithstanding continuing public criticism over Dáil and Seanad holidays, the report says the number of sitting hours for both Houses performs well when compared to other parliaments.

There were 201 sittings of both Houses in 2009, with a total of 1,593 sitting hours.

“When comparing the number of recess weeks in nine parliaments surveyed, the Oireachtas finishes in joint third place with the UK and Belgium,” states the report.

It also notes that some 46,750 parliamentary questions were tabled.

The commission also received 82 Freedom of Information requests in 2009, a considerable increase on 2008.

“Last year was a significant one for the Houses of the Oireachtas with the celebration of the 90th anniversary of the first meeting of Dáil Éireann that took place on January 21st, 1919,” it says.

“To mark this historic event, members of the Dáil and Seanad gathered in the Round Room in the Mansion House for a joint sitting of the Dáil and Seanad in January 2009. The event was attended by former taoisigh and descendants of TDs elected to the first Dáil.”

In its estimate for 2010, some €33 million has been allotted for pay and pensions of TDs and Senators out of a total budget of €117 million.