You gave it credence by linking to it and repeating the incorrect material included in it.
You seem to be missing the key point that expenses are designed to cover outgoings, so TDs don't really get to save them. They've already spent that money.I was looking at various stories on all the expenses a TD can claim tax free and by doing a quick check it is apparent that a TD can save ALL OF HIS/HER SALARY while in office so 5 years equals five years of bliss. And then we wonder why they stick together.
And that's where I stopped reading.also it was in the mail today ....
Not true. Many businesses that have sales staff or others generally based out of a home office have standard per diem expense rates, all unvouched. Makes perfect sense to eliminate the collection and checking of invoices.I can accept if a person incurs expenses in the course of their work they get reimbursed but with receipts. No large organisation will have a flat rate expenses culture it would be economic suicide. so put that to bed immediately.
The real test of this logic would be whether you would take the same approach for public servants who spend large amounts of their day out of the office, like public health nurses, or visiting teachers, or special educational needs organisers, or litter wardens etc.They seem absolutely reasonable to me. While employees in general do not get paid for the cost of travelling in and out of work, they do get paid for travelling on work related business. Most Dublin TDs would travel a lot in the course of their work. In and around the constituency and presumably to other parts of Dublin and Ireland. I would be surprised if €1,000 a month covered it.
I disagree. A simple smartphone app like any of these could be used to allow TDs to easily and quickly track their travel. The information gathered could be published automatically each week or month. Find an app that integrates with their diary, and this would have the added advantage of greater transparency - so the public can see what the TD is doing and who they are meeting.People who complain about this "waste" of public expenditure, would probably prefer to have all the TDs spend a few hours each week listing out all their journeys, the purpose of their journey and whether the drove, cycled, took public transport etc. They would also like to employ 30 staff in expensive offices in Dublin to add up every receipt, check them and issue separate cheques every month.
Personally I believe one of the main reasons we're in the hole we're in right now is because politicians allowed themselves become completely removed from income levels of normal people. If they can allow themselves via unique expense treatment to protect themselves from complete exposure to increases in income taxation then that's as bad.
Expense their expenses - fine, or let them use the same per deim that normal companies are allowed, but no more.
Personally I believe one of the main reasons we're in the hole we're in right now is because politicians allowed themselves become completely removed from income levels of normal people. If they can allow themselves via unique expense treatment to protect themselves from complete exposure to increases in income taxation then that's as bad.
Expense their expenses - fine, or let them use the same per deim that normal companies are allowed, but no more.
I agree - this is indeed part of what happened last time round, particularly with the triumvirate of 2nd generation politicians (Cowan, Lenihan, Coughlan). There is a big risk of this developing, as evidenced by the recent press reports of Bottler O'Reilly's claiming the cost of the Port Tunnel to travel to/from work "because he's worth it".Personally I believe one of the main reasons we're in the hole we're in right now is because politicians allowed themselves become completely removed from income levels of normal people. If they can allow themselves via unique expense treatment to protect themselves from complete exposure to increases in income taxation then that's as bad.
the local TD is expected to turn up at local events and put his hand in his pocket for drinks, raffles etc (which would not be covered as Expenses).
If he wants to buy votes by playing the big man and flashing out the cash, let him do with from his own pocket, not ours.I'm not sure if this really is a good argument for supporting TD expenses, playing at being a high roller, and buying votes with alcohol. That's a great use of our taxes, being handed out to acquaintances of TDs in drink.
would extend this invasion of privacy to all stae employees?I disagree. A simple smartphone app like any of these could be used to allow TDs to easily and quickly track their travel. The information gathered could be published automatically each week or month. Find an app that integrates with their diary, and this would have the added advantage of greater transparency - so the public can see what the TD is doing and who they are meeting.
Yes, the last thing we should allow is for relatives to follow their elders into politics and put themselves up before the electorate so that the electorate can freely choose to elect them or not. It's not as if kids folow their parents into other careers or anything...I agree - this is indeed part of what happened last time round, particularly with the triumvirate of 2nd generation politicians (Cowan, Lenihan, Coughlan). There is a big risk of this developing, as evidenced by the recent press reports of Bottler O'Reilly's claiming the cost of the Port Tunnel to travel to/from work "because he's worth it".
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