Maurice Cummins (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The Members make their point well. We have raised this with the Minister on a number of occasions. The guidelines for Senators are extremely restrictive compared with those in the Dáil. In some instances there are genuine reasons for that but in others, such as the purchase of an iPad, Members of the other House can claim from their allowances but Members of this House cannot. Members of this House have their office space, the same as everybody else, or they can rent a room for clinics on a Monday or Friday, but we are told we cannot even mention clinics if we are claiming for a room. There is an anomaly that must be addressed in the very near future.

This House has a fresh mandate from the people. We do not seek parity of esteem in everything we do because Members of the other House have additional expenses in some instances, but the restrictions for Senators are very limiting.

The point has been made that Senators are not looking for more money, but the guidelines certainly need to be looked at in a matter of weeks rather than months to put some fairness back in the system as it is not there at present. I am not sure whether these amendments will address the problems. I know the Minister is very sympathetic in this regard and I hope we will see some progress in the very near future.