Madam, – Whatever about the rights and wrongs of George Lee resigning in a hissy fit, it seems he is right about how out of touch politicians are.
Is this “reform” of their expenses system really the best they can do (Home News, February 11th)? Do they genuinely believe there is a justification for any of them to be paid an attendance allowance or an accommodation allowance?
In the last list of expenses released there were TDs claiming an accommodation allowance who have been TDs for over 20 years and cannot possibly still have mortgages to pay. So who verifies if these claims are genuine? The Oireachtas doesn’t sit long enough to warrant any member from outside Dublin needing permanent accommodation in Dublin.
There is no justification for any of them to receive a daily attendance allowance, especially when they have a subsidised restaurant, whether or not they sign in. They all get a high enough basic salary to be able to pay for their own lunch, petrol and digs.
The way expenses and allowances are claimed is one area where opposition parties do have the power to change something and lead by example. There is no one stopping any Fine Gael or Labour Oireachtas members from providing and publishing receipts for what they claim – yet not one single one of them does.
The continuing failure of those parties to require their own TDs and Senators to provide receipts for expenses and allowances, weakens their argument that they will offer a better alternative. – Yours, etc,
Madam, – We are constantly exhorted to use public transport instead of cars. Should not TDs, Senators and members of the Government be issued with travel passes? It would save enormous amounts of money and bring them closer to their constituents.
It might also improve public transport.