Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour) | Oireachtas source

I thank Senators for their contributions and their support for this legislation. Everybody who spoke expressed support for the Bill, by and large. It is not easy to be the Minister who is always coming in to seek expenditure reductions. I wanted to put on the record the extent of the reductions already made by the political system. I do not think it is well known that the Taoiseach takes home 40% less than his predecessor, or that Ministers, the Ceann Comhairle and the Attorney General earn 35% less than their predecessors. Senator Norris asked me a specific question about Deputies. Their pay has been reduced by 20%. Current Senators are paid just under 14% less than their predecessors. Everybody here has made a significant contribution. Expenses have also been reduced significantly. As I outlined, some expenses have been reduced by approximately 80%. It is important to say all of these things.

I want to highlight the main thrust of this Bill by focusing on three aspects of it. First, we will reduce all of the so-called "parliamentary allowances" - the Leaders' allowance, as it used to be known, and the allowance to Independent Members for parliamentary activities - by 10%. Second, we will require full and transparent vouching for them.