Paschal Mooney (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I fully endorse everything the Leader said in regard to the apportioning of allowances to Senators. The Minister indicated that he was encouraged by those Senators who set out their stall on this issue on Second Stage. I am pleased to put my view on the public record without equivocation and ambiguity, or concern for what the reaction might be in certain sections of the media. As the Leader said, this is about fair play and a level playing field. It is not about anything else.

We cannot continue with the situation as it is. The Minister has changed the law this year, leaving us in a very difficult position as to how this money is to be spent. I have no difficulty whatsoever in returning unspent money to the Exchequer, but I am also of the view that it is a legitimate aspiration for us as Senators to be given some form of allowance for the work we carry out in our offices, whether that office is located in our home or in a rented premises. It is no more and no less than Deputies are getting. All it would require is an amending piece that refers to county of residence as opposed to constituency. That would not have any constitutional implications as far as I am aware and would, in a simple and straightforward way, get over the obstacle of our essentially representing the country as a whole as legislators rather than an individual constituency.