10% cut in TDs & Senators' expenses
Wednesday, 18 February 2009 22:15
Expenses paid to TDs and Senators are to be cut by 10% under proposals put forward by the Oireachtas Commission - the body that administers Leinster House.
The Commission has agreed to reduce mileage rates, travel budgets and the daily allowance paid to Dublin members.
A special allowance paid to ministers to help them pay their expenses is to be abolished.
The number of Oireachtas committees may also be reduced.
Speaking tonight, Ceann Comhairle John O'Donoghue, who chairs the commission, said the cuts would cause pain among members but TDs and senators were prepared to make their contribution given the current economic situation.
The proposed cuts will save €4m in an overall expenses bill of €12.6m.
The recommendations have yet to be approved by the Minister for Finance who earlier indicated that previous proposals from the Commission did not go far enough.
