Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour) | Oireachtas source

The Act is crystal clear. An allowance is payable to party Whips, but such an allowance is not payable - it is crystal clear in the Act - to someone who is a Minister or Minister of State. An allowance was payable to a Minister of State who may attend Cabinet separately, and two such allowances can be paid under separate legislation, but the Taoiseach has four Ministers of State attending Cabinet. In order to accommodate a third last year, his predecessor created this new Government Whips allowance which does not exist in law. That is the simple fact of the matter. Unfortunately, a significant overpayment is being made to a member of his Government. My simple question is whether he will ensure that the law is complied with and this overpayment recouped? Furthermore, is it his intention to then have four Ministers of State attending Cabinet, two paid an allowance and two not?

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