MR Feargal Quinn (Ind) quickly realised he was pursuing a lost cause when he sought to prevent the backdating of increased allowances for Oireachtas parties and members.
Payment of expenses and for the running of parties should not be made retrospective to last January, he argued. "This is the wrong time to give such a signal, Mr Quinn said. But his arguments fell on deaf ears, as none of his fellow independent senators backed him up.
Government and Opposition senators stressed the need for proper overnight payments for members. Some emphasised that they would lose out if the current interpretation of the rules was to prevail. They expressed gratitude that the Minister for Finance was addressing this issue.
The Minister, Mr Quinn, repeated his Dail commitment to consider the proposition that Oireachtas members be treated in the same way as other democratic assemblies in the European Union in terms of expenses incurred in the performance of members' duties.
Withdrawing his amendment, Mr Quinn said he was satisfied that it had achieved its purpose in terms of generating debate and a response from the Minister.
The Bill passed all stages.
. The last day for nominations to fill the seat held by the late senator and Cathaoirleach of the Seanad, Mr Liam Naughten, will be January 7th. The poll will close at 11 a.m. on January 28th. The electorate for the by-election will be members of the Dail and Seanad.