No Irish MEP contributed to a heated debate in the European Parliament yesterday over the issue of pay and expenses for MEPs.
The European Council has brought forward a proposal that MEPs should receive a fixed salary based on the average EU national parliament rates and that they should also pay tax in their home countries.
In addition, the council has proposed that virtually all expenses would have to be vouched and that pensions be fixed and the system of payments regularised.
The parliament brought forward its own proposals drawn up by German MEP, Mr Willi Rothley, who told the parliament that to accept the council's proposals would be self-destructive.
However, both the Liberal Group, led by the Munster MEP Mr Pat Cox, and the Green Party indicated they would be supporting the council's attempt to introduce the system before the European elections on June 11th.
Ms Bernie Malone, a vice-president of the Socialist grouping in the parliament, said her group would be bringing forward amendments today on the issue.
These would deal with such issues as the loss of pension rights and socialist opposition to the proposal which stipulates that the salary should be £38,000.
"We are in broad agreement with the proposals, but they will discriminate against some members, for instance the British, who will lose out heavily because of the exchange rate between sterling and the euro," she said.
A spokesman for Fine Gael said they expected their group would split on the issue.
The parliament will vote on the matter today.