Two-phones Bertie says he's entitled to multiple claims

Ken Foxe

Bertie Ahern: the former taoiseach enjoys two telephone allowances

Bertie Ahern has insisted he is entitled to make multiple claims for his mobile phone bill and travel expenses.

As a former taoiseach, Ahern has his mobile phone bill paid for by the taxpayer but is also in receipt of a separate telephone allowance as part of the general expenses regime for Dáil deputies.

He also has the use of a full-time car and driver, another arrangement that is put in place for all former taoisigh, but continues to claim travel expenses under the parliamentary allowance made available to all TDs.

Since a new expenses regime was introduced earlier this year, Ahern has been claiming the maximum unvouched amount allowable to Dublin parliamentarians.

He has put in for €2,250 for each of the past three months under the new system, claiming a total of €6,750 tax-free.

His claim is the exact same as that of Labour leader Eamon Gilmore, constituency colleague Cyprian Brady, and independent TDs Finian McGrath and Maureen O'Sullivan.

However, unlike those four deputies – and other Dublin TDs in a similar position – Ahern has use of a free mobile phone and a full-time garda driver.

A statement from the Fianna Fáil press office said that the former taoiseach was not doing anything wrong and claiming only what he is entitled to. A spokesman said: "Bertie is not in receipt of a mobile phone allowance in his capacity as a TD. As you will be aware, the Department of the Taoiseach arrangement is in place for all former holders of that office and therefore a matter for that department."

Since stepping down as taoiseach, Ahern has been in receipt of €14,000 for mobile phone bills and airport VIP charges from his former department.

Between his resignation in 2008 and May of this year, the former taoiseach ran up a €8,331 mobile phone bill and a further €5,682 at airport lounges. Both are paid by the state.

However, allowances made available to all sitting TDs, including Ahern, also cover the cost of mobile phone bills and other telephony.

An explanation of the public representation allowance, which is worth €15,000 if unvouched, makes specific reference to its use for mobile phones.

According to the guide, it is used to cover "telephone calls, otherwise than from Leinster House, including line rental and mobile phone calls, relating to the performance of his/her duties as a member".

The allowance, under which Ahern has been claiming the maximum unvouched amount of €1,250 a month, also covers constituency office costs, stationery, insurance, cleaning, advertising, leafleting and other routine expenditure.

The former taoiseach is also claiming his full entitlement of €10,000 a year – claimed as €1,000 each month – in a "travel and accommodation allowance".

According to the Houses of the Oireachtas, it is paid to cover "the costs of travel to and from Leinster House, accommodation where applicable and, for deputies only, constituency travel".

However, Ahern has no travel costs as a full-time garda driver and car is provided to him at extensive cost to the taxpayer.

The former taoiseach, who lives just a few miles from Leinster House in Drumcondra, is also considered unlikely to require any expenses for accommodation when on Dáil business.

July 25, 2010

Comments

#1 Brian Hoppy commented, on July 25, 2010 at 10:21 p.m.:

On top of the superstar expense account - he also gets preferential treatment from the Revenue Commissioner - who else would be allowed go three years without a tax clearance certificate?
Vile.

#2 Robert Browne commented, on July 26, 2010 at 12:35 a.m.:

Has not contributed to one single dail debate this year yet still draws his full salary is if everything is honky dory. Will keep riding the gravy train until there is a Truth and Reconciliation Commission established to decide who is responsible for the collapse of the countries economy and hundreds of thousands of unemployed. He will be the star witness to be called. All those found guilty should never get another penny from the state ever, again.

#3 Gerry Byrne commented, on July 26, 2010 at 2:48 a.m.:

And no doubt the `ah Bertie`s one of our own`gang in north Dublin would vote him back in at the drop of a hat.Gombeen jackeen`s reap what you sow.

#4 BarryW commented, on July 26, 2010 at 9:24 a.m.:

Third world dictatorship stuff.

#5 Corrxxx commented, on July 26, 2010 at 11:32 a.m.:

At a time when the state is looking to make 3bn Euro of cutbacks, where frontline health services, teacher pupil ratios, social welfare payments are widely expected to "feel the pain" in a Second round of cuts, this man feels entitled to claim as much for his two phones as some people earn in a year. He spends 5k lapping it up at airports on his way to expensive speaking arrangements.
The hypocrisy of politicians know no bounds. It was one thing to turn a blind eye to his excesses when things were good, but how can we continue to look away now?

#6 Briain MacFiaich commented, on July 26, 2010 at 5:43 p.m.:

Re Gerry Byrne,
The gombeen jacks in north Dublin aren't on their own, what about Bev Cooper-Flynn in Mayo, and Michael Lowry in Tipperary.
The whole political set-up is rotten.

#7 gem commented, on July 26, 2010 at 5:59 p.m.:

third world stuff is right, he thinks the "little people" should pay all de bills for him, on account of the fact that he was such a good LEEDER. Off with is head, usless lump that he is

#8 Jim commented, on July 26, 2010 at 10:38 p.m.:

This is an absolute disgrace and the travelling ,mobile phone and VIP expenses should be the subject of a Dail Enquiry--but then would you expect anything different from a guy who would put Callelly in the Seanad.

#9 press button B to get your money back commented, on July 26, 2010 at 10:52 p.m.:

Bertie Should be Exiled to Borneo, let him try and get a mobile signal their.

#10 Tom commented, on July 27, 2010 at 5:12 p.m.:

"An explanation of the public representation allowance, which is worth €15,000 if unvouched, makes specific reference to its use for mobile phones."

Does he represent de people anymore? All I ever hear of him is his swanning around de place (with his walking around money I suppose).

#11 Enlightened commented, on July 28, 2010 at 4:39 p.m.:

Its like the end of the Roman Empire.

#12 Joseph Kennedy commented, on August 1, 2010 at 5:25 a.m.:

No wonder Ireland is in the state it is. It has lost all respect and confidence from the international community, and it's more informed diaspora. This sleveen as a sitting Prime Minister made a mockery of the country's judicial system. His oscar winning performances were applauded by the Hill 16 masses, assembled outside Dublin Castle every day. With a culture of corruption from the top down, it was fair game for the Bankers to run amok. The semi states are and will always be another gravy train for the FF crowd. Ireland deserves what it got. The great grandchildren of the same morons outside Dublin Castle will be still paying for his and Cowen's mistakes and excesses. FF's culture is about "me fein" and "on the take" With the country on the ropes and 100,000 leaving annually, this sleveen rambles away on his phone in the back of his state merc, organizing his next speaking gig. Thank God for closed captioning. In any other country, he would have been on the other side of the counter in their local Fagans. Wake up Ireland, before it's too late.

#13 Howard commented, on August 1, 2010 at 6:24 p.m.:

The voters get the politicians they deserve if you vote for people like him except to be ripped off. He says he's entitled, I say he should be in jail.

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