Rejected Reforms
Annual salary:
An increase of 45 per cent to £52,000 a year subject to EU tax rate of 21 per cent.
Office expenses:
This will be £31,000 a year. Plus up to £20,000 a year towards travel costs within MEPs' constituencies.
Daily attendance allowance:
Lump sum of £185.
Staff/secretarial assistance allowance:
Maximum £90,000 a year, to be paid directly to employees by the Parliament.
Travel allowance: As before, £2,400 for travel throughout the world.
The crucial change . . .
is contained in Clause 6 of Article 9 of the Statute. It reads as follows: "All applications for the reimbursement of expenses must be supported by an invoice and shall be conditional upon the member signing a declaration that the expenses have actually been incurred in connection with the performance of his duties."
As It Is
Routine travel allowance:
A lump-sum based on the normal flight costs, home taxis, plus a mileage allowance to take account of duration and travel conditions. Boarding card only required for proof of travel. Bernie Malone agreed to download this information in her own case. Her expenses claim for Dublin-Brussels travel came to £40,000 for a year, allowing for six weeks of Parliament close-down and absences,
Daily attendance allowance:
£185 to cover accommodation, meals and other outlay. MEP loses 50 per cent of this if not present for 50 per cent of the votes from Tuesday to Thursday in Strasbourg and Thursdays in Brussels. No receipts required. Based on Malone's travel pattern - nine daily allowances a month for Brussels and four for Strasbourg - total claims over a 46-week year would come to approximately £25,000.
General expenditure allowance:
A monthly allowance of approximately £2,610 for home office management costs, computer and telematics equipment, telephone and postal charges and travel within member's home state. Members who miss half the plenary sittings lose half the allowance. No receipts required. Total possible claim a year, approximately £31,000.
Staff/secretarial assistance allowance:
Around £90,000 a year for assistance at home and in Europe. Payment in past five years made only through third party or directly to the assistant.
Travel allowance:
£2,400 a year for travel throughout the world in performance of duties other than official meetings (e.g. conferences). Payable on presentation of relevant air tickets and supporting documents.
Annual salary:
Based on TDs' salaries at £37,472 a year subject to Irish tax rates.