Political expenses' watch 2019

I see on The Irish Times this evening that David Norris, who has been in the Seanad for 32 years now, has claimed almost €70,000 for “website, design and online” services since 2015, even though the 'News' section of his website hasn't been updated in 2 years. This is just a small part of his overall expenses, and they far exceed any other member of the Seanad. Yet more evidence of how obtuse the Irish electorate was in 2013 when it voted not to abolish the parasitic institution that is Seanad Éireann.

David Norris claimed almost €70,000 for website services, says Sipo: Expenses claimed since 2015 yet Senator’s site ‘news section’ last updated two years ago

Independent Senator David Norris has spent nearly €70,000 since 2015 on website design and online services, information from the Standards in Public Office Commission (Sipo) show.

Sipo has released details of the amount of money spent under the parliamentary activities allowance by parties, Independent TDs and Independent Senators.

The allowance, formerly known as the party leader’s allowance, is a payment to a party leader made in relation to expenses arising from parliamentary activities, including research. Payments can also be made to Independent members of the Dáil or Seanad Éireann.

Detailed forms for 2018 show that Mr Norris received a total of €21,045 in such funding. He also had a carry-over of more than €27,000 from previous years.

He claimed €29,459 for “website, design and online” services last year. The cost in 2017 was €19,382 and €11,881 in 2016. It was €10,792 in 2015.

Blog page
According to his website, the last update in the “news section” was in 2017. The last entry on a blog page was September 29th, 2017. He also uploaded a 2018 newsletter.

Efforts to contact Mr Norris last night were unsuccessful.

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Who else is trying to match John O'Donoghue with their expenses? Name and shame.

A Galway East TD named Seán Canney, who is currently a minister of state, seems to be partial to billing the taxpayer for his expensive restaurants:

Seán Canney’s receipts reveal spending in top restaurants near Dáil: Junior minister’s ‘expenditure on policy formulation’ also done in Tuam and Athlone

Under “expenditure on policy formulation”, Mr Canney listed different amounts spent in restaurants such as Bang Restaurant (€140); the Sussex Restaurant (€208); Matt the Thresher (€332); Le Pain Quotidien (€83); The Ivy (€92); La Cave (€86) and Fire Restaurant (€122).

Cré na Cille: €874
Two separate amounts are listed for a “Cré na Cille”: one for €874 and another for €48. There is a restaurant called Cré na Cille in Mr Canney’s hometown of Tuam, Co Galway.

Mr Canney, a Galway East TD, also listed policy expenditure for the Hodson Bay Hotel in Athlone (€182), Buswells Hotel beside Leinster House (€40), the Corralea Court Hotel (€26), the Houses of the Oireachtas (€570), Finn’s Restaurant (€330), Kennedy Pubs (€68.40), O’Grady’s (€39.90) and the Loughrea Spa (€12.50).

€922 for dinner in a restaurant in his own constituency back in Galway? "Expenditure on policy formation" my eye. Shameless stuff.

This "expenses" cushion needs to be removed entirely. Paying your own way like every other mortal. Members of the Dáil/Seanad would be forced to buck up in quick order.

Kivaro

Deleted User wrote: »

Name and shame.

Good thread OP.
Not that any of this would embarrass the shysters that we call politicians in Ireland, but it is good to highlight the gravy train in the trough that they feed from. The trough being our taxes.