Fidelma Healy Eames (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the Minister and thank Senator Reilly for sharing time.

I welcome the Bill on the basis that its aim is to achieve fiscal efficiency and democratic reform. I support that aim. The Bill gives me the opportunity to raise the allowances paid to parties and Independent Members from the public purse. The point I wish to raise is the continuation of that payment to political parties for Deputies and Senators who have lost the party whip and been expelled from the party. We are supposed to be upright and honest and to stand for fiscal efficiency and reform. Where is the reform if the Government of the day still continues to pay my allowance as a Senator who has lost the Fine Gael party whip, Senator Bradford's allowance and the allowances of non-aligned Deputies in the Dáil to the party from which they were expelled? If we are serious about reform, we will use this Bill to change that. I am not seeking that money for myself, even though we must be resourced to do a good job and fulfil our duty to the taxpayer, as every other Member has recommended. That money should be returned to the taxpayer. It is quite immoral of any party to hold that allowance because it is no longer resourcing that Member of the Oireachtas and is no longer providing press and research support.

I seek an answer from the Minister, Deputy Howlin, as the Minister responsible for reform. I am also seeking a written reply on this issue. It is a serious issue. It could amount to fraud. At best, it is the retention of funds under false pretences.