TDs refuse to return €30k allowance

Ken Foxe Public Affairs Correspondent

Joe and Olwyn Enright

A MARRIED couple, who are both TDs, have said they will not be paying back an estimated €30,000 claimed in overnight allowances.

Joe Enright and Olwyn Enright released a short statement saying their decision to stop double claiming was made because of the deterioration in the public finances.

The couple, who serve constituencies in Donegal and Laois/Offaly, said they would still both be entitled to claim the overnight allowance.

A statement from the Fine Gael press office said: "When Olwyn and Joe saw the shortfall in the public purse in July of last year, they decided that regardless of the fact that the law allows for TDs to share accommodation and claim expenses, they were going to refuse the payment for one of them for the period from July on.

"They will continue to do so until clearer rules are introduced for TDs who are either married or share accommodation." They declined to answer a number of other questions put to them by the Sunday Tribune.

Concerns had been raised by some TDs that the double-claiming might have compromised Olwyn Enright's position as spokesperson on Social and Family Affairs.

In 2005, the year that Enright and McHugh got married, Olwyn Enright was in the middle of the pack when it came to claiming TD's expenses.

Her expenses claim in 2005 was €46,078 while figures for her husband, who was a senator at the time, are not available.

March 1, 2009

Comments

#1 deirdre commented, on March 1, 2009 at 2:38 p.m.:

Ms Enright recently said the state could save money on rent allowances paid to the unemployed because rent levels are coming down.

She clearly did not even know that only a percentage of the rent is paid, and that in any case the state would benefit where applicants had recently taken up accommodation and would possibly have more modest rents. however, where the applicant had rented a flat when rents were higher, did she expect him/her to move to a tiny bedsitter to save the state money and be effectivally penalised for losing their job?

It is ironic that after releasing her views on rent allowances the Sunday Tribune reveals the truth about her double claiming of overnight allowances.

It is simply unacceptable for her to argue that the rules permitted it.

When the rules were drawm up there were no husband and wife TD teams and even if there were, it is unlikely that the rule makers would have considered making a rule specifically saying that couples (married or otherwise) cannot both claim - you assume people have some standards.

Obviously some people don't like Ms Enright and her husband.

The €30,000 overclaimed would pay most of the annual salary of a nurse for example - a better use for the money than in Ms Enright's bank account.

#2 James commented, on March 1, 2009 at 4:28 p.m.:

Are these two related to Beverly Cooper Flynn by any chance?

#3 c carroll commented, on March 1, 2009 at 6:16 p.m.:

it just goes to show the hypocracy of the opposition. first we had phil hogan saying he was unable to take a pay cut then we learn that not 1 of the "comrades" of the labour party have taken a cut.oh what patriotism mr. lenihan

#4 Richard Sullivan commented, on March 1, 2009 at 7:08 p.m.:

I am retired teacher.I never invited a TD to speak to any of my CSPE classes because none of them ever spoke out against the immoral pensions,golden handshakes,generous unvouched expenses paid for by decent hardworking people which was regarded as part of the job.Iwarned mt pupils to be wary of these imposters and not to be fooled by their self interest

#5 Michael Moloney commented, on March 1, 2009 at 7:42 p.m.:

Deputy Olwyn Enright should demand a cut in the overnight allowance for Oireachtas members before looking to have the rent supplement reduced for low income individuals / families living in private rented accommodation.

She might also consider her position on the double claim which gave herself and husband Joe McHugh TD an additional €30,000 over a three year period to June 2008.

Only last Tuesday we saw where Laois and Offaly were shown to have among the lowest incomes per head of population across the whole of Ireland in figures released from the CSO.

Deputy Enright needs to have a reality check and look closer at her constituency make up and she will see, that incomes in both Laois and Offaly are well below those in other parts of the country and also that nowhere does the actual rental income support cover rents.

How is it morally defensible to look to cut away at the supports for the poorest in our society while hiding behind legislation to justify drawing expenses on the double?

For 2008 the couple as members of the Oireachtas were awarded expenses totalling €116,727 plus salary totalling €195,000 and for the three years where the couple claimed the double overnight allowence the couple drew more than ¾ `s of a Million euro from the Exchequer.
These are very serious times for many families and individuals and in the context of the above, Deputy Enright’s statement on the rent supplement was nothing more than political opportunism taken at the expense of the poorest amount us.
Marie Antoinette is alive and well. Bring back the guillotine.

Michael Moloney (MCC) Indep Laois CC

#6 Sean commented, on March 1, 2009 at 8:44 p.m.:

just shows you Fianna Fail & Fine Gael.
2 cheeks of the same arse.

#7 Mick, North Dublin commented, on March 2, 2009 at 1:33 p.m.:

The way Michael Moloney puts it (above) this pair have won the lottery.

Only when the largesse at Leinster House is stopped will the appetite for everyone to 'do their bit' be shown