Brian Lenihan Jnr (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)

First, it must be stated that Members of these Houses and officeholders incur legitimate expenses as part of their parliamentary duties both in attending Leinster House and as part of their constituency duties. It is appropriate that the amount of any such expense should be kept under review to ensure they are appropriate to reflect the cost of these duties, as well as the prevailing economic circumstances.

As Deputy Bruton will be aware, I have already reduced the cost of the expenses. Expenses generally have been reduced by 10% and mileage rates have also been reduced by 25% in line with the general reduction in public service mileage rates. Members of the Oireachtas and officer holders are therefore making a contribution in recognition of the current economic position.

The Houses of the Oireachtas Commission brought forward proposals earlier this year to introduce a single composite parliamentary allowance in place of a number of separate allowances. This summer I introduced the Oireachtas (Allowances to Members) and Ministerial and other Parliamentary Officeholders Act 2009 which, among other things, provided an enabling provision for a single composite allowance. This allowance would replace some or all of the many separate allowances payable at present. The legislation also allows for the proposed composite allowance to be linked to attendance.

At the time I introduced the legislation, I stated clearly that I was of the view that there was a need for further consideration and discussion of the proposed composite allowance before I brought forward the necessary regulations. In the interim, over the summer period, I introduced and adopted the regulations which provided for the 25% reduction in travel expenses and the 10% reduction in all other expenses. That is now law and is operative. Since then, I have had discussions with the Houses of the Oireachtas Commission, and there are continuing contacts at official level.

At present I am in the process of finalising the most appropriate revised arrangements, which will give a transparent, verifiable and cost-effective system of parliamentary expenses. When I have completed my consideration of the matter, regulations setting out the new arrangements will be laid before the Houses.

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