FINANCE MINISTER MICHAEL Noonan is to crack down on the unvouched allowance system given to independent TDs.
Noonan told the Dáil that he will bring proposals to Government “very shortly” to change the law around the so-called party leaders allowance given to some deputies.
Independent TDs – which includes deputies who were not a member of a qualifying political party at the time of their election, but not TDs who have lost the whip since then – receive the allowance of €41,152 per year, while independent Senators receive €23,383.
Fifteen TDs get the allowance which is designed to be used for administration, policymaking and advice, which TDs affiliated with the main parties would be able to get from their party.
Noonan has already announced a 10 per cent reduction in the allowance and he also plans to introduce an auditing provision so TDs and Senators can provide information on what they used the money for.
The TDs and Senators involved met with Michael Noonan and representatives from the Standards in Public Office Commission recently to discuss changes to the payment.
“On foot of that review, I intend to bring proposals to Government very shortly on necessary amendments to the legislation underpinning the Allowance, including amendments to implement the measures I have already announced,” Noonan told the Dáil.
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