THERE are few surprises, other than the apparent poverty of some members of the Seanad, in the register of their interests which has been compiled under the Ethics in Public Office Act.
What wealth is declared is largely confined to land, property and share holdings. Nine senators report that they live exclusively on their Seanad salaries of about £20,000 a year.
A few very wealthy individuals, such as the Taoiseach's nominee, Dr Edward Haughey, of Newry, Co Down, and a university representative, Mr Feargal Quinn of Superquinn, are in a class of their own. Solid bourgeois status is reflected elsewhere in the ownership of private companies and farms and in professional positions, with one Lloyd's "name". Fianna Fail and Fine Gael senators are fairly evenly matched in terms of interests.
The Act requires that a complete, statement of interests be made covering occupational income share holdings of over £10,000 directorships interests, bin land in excess of £10,000 gifts, received worth more than £500 property and services worth more than £500 travel facilities provided outside the State exceeding £500 remuneration positions held and contracts with a value of more than £5,000.
The longest entry belongs to Dr Haughey, who donated £1 million to UCD last week for the establishment of the Albert Reynolds veterinary teaching hospital.
Director and shareholder in a series of Norbrook veterinary medicine companies, Dr Haughey also is a director of the Bank of Ireland and several business concerns. His extensive property holdings include a mansion on 1,000 acres in Cumbria.
Mr Quinn's interests are neatly wrapped up in his family's investment holding companies, Tokad and Brooch. Mr Eddie Bohan is the Lloyd's "name".