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Major reform on the way for MEP pay and allowances (26/2/09)

February 26, 2009 at 7:01 pm Leave a comment

Ireland’s thirteen MEPs have backed comprehensive pay reforms due to come into force this summer. The European Parliament is to implement a complete overhaul of the way MEPs are paid after an internal audit carried out in 2004 revealed weaknesses in the system. ‘The report was one of the factors behind the decision to essentially replace the system with a new one,’ said a parliament spokesperson. Under the new régime which takes effect after the European elections in June, MEPs in every member state will be paid the same monthly wage of €7,339. This will mean a drop for Irish MEPs who are currently the third-highest paid in the EU on €7,791 per month. Also, MEPs’ assistants will be employed directly by the parliament, and the practice of parliamentarians employing family members will be phased out. Another major change will see MEPs refunded for travel expenses on the basis of receipts, rather than being paid a flat rate. Finally, the current Voluntary Pension Fund for MEPs will be abolished and replaced by a single pension scheme.
A statement issued by the five Fine Gael MEPs says they have voted in favour of all the reforms to promote transparency, and that they expect to receive about a 20 per cent decrease in salary. Independent MEP Kathy Sinnott, who has already volunteered for a 20 per cent salary cut, is also in favour of the planned reforms. ‘We have to lead by example if we are going to help our people,’ she said.

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