KENNY WELCOMES NEW MEASURES FOR POLITICIANS PAY & PENSIONS

Posted on December 5, 2012 8:13 PM   |   Permanent Link   

Dublin Bay North Labour TD, Seán Kenny, has welcomed new measures announced in the Budget that reform pay and pensions for politicians.

"In the interests of fairness and reform, Labour have insisted on making changes to politicians' pay, pensions and allowances system. In this budget, the un-vouched expenses system has been abolished and all future expenses will be vouched. Vouched expenses will also apply for any overnight stay for work by Ministers and there will be no claim of laundry allowance."

"The Leaders Allowance and the Parliamentary Standard Allowance have both been reduced by 10%. There will be a full audit of Leaders' Allowance, including that given to Independent TDs. The Leaders Allowance as was given to Independent TDs was indefensible and I am happy to see it gone.
"Severance pay given to politicians when they leave office has been abolished for both current and future office holders is also a good move. Politicians are highly paid as it is and do not need severance payments when they are finished their time in office."

"As well as that, there have been further reductions in politicians' pensions announced in the Budget. A pension cap has been set at to €60,000. Pension amounts over €60,000 will now be subject to taxation and PRSI, and it is important to bear in mind that public service pensions have already been reduced by €100m. The USC will also apply. Politicians earning over €600 per week and who are over 70 years of age will only receive a GP only card."

"We have seen during the time of this Government that there is increased flexibility and productivity for politicians, including extra Dáil sitting days on Fridays, more Oireachtas sittings than previous administrations as well as extra Committee sessions with a reduced number of Dáil committees."

"The Oireachtas Commission will consider devising a system for independent setting of pay and pensions of politicians. There are also new ceilings on donations to politicians, increased transparency and 30% quota of women candidates. There is new legislation forthcoming that will address issues concerning Ethics in Public Life, Transparency of Lobbying and Whistleblowing."