Local Senators defend expenses payments while Seanad was closed

Roscommon's Eugene Murphy and Offaly's Pippa Hackett were among 48 Senators who received attendance and subsistence payments for April and May, despite the Seanad being closed at the time.

When asked about the issue this week, the two Senators emphasised the volume of work they were doing during the two months in question, both in Dublin and elsewhere.

Senator Murphy described the months of April and May as "probably the busiest period of my political life," and said he was actively working for constituents throughout the Covid-19 lockdown.

On Wednesday last, the Irish Independent's lead story reported that 48 Senators shared a total of €240,000 in Parliamentary Standard Allowance (PSA) expenses for April and May, despite the fact that the Seanad did not sit during those months.

The paper reported that Senator Murphy, a newcomer to the Upper House having narrowly lost his Dáil seat at February's general election, received €6,232 in parliamentary standard allowance (PSA) payments, in addition to his Seanad salary, for the two months. Senator Hackett, now a 'Super Junior' Minister in the new Government, received €5,840 in PSA payments during those months.

When contacted by the Westmeath Independent, Senator Murphy said he gives a "one-to-one service" to constituents, which involves more travel and time in a rural area than it would in Dublin.

"I was in Dublin I'd say at least 12 days, working for constituents during the period queried and I can get proof of that," he said, pointing out that Senators were not allowed to sign in until June 29.

"I have proof of all my receipts for diesel, hotel clinic meetings and newspaper advertising campaigns during that period which, by the way, are all allowed under a travel and accommodation allowance."

He said all members must attend Seanad Eireann for a stipulated number of days each year, and if he doesn't attend for that number of days he must pay back expenses received.

"In my case I must attend Seanad Eireann for 91 days, and that does not (include) the days I work in my constituency.

"The bottom line here is that if we don't reach our target of days by December 31, we will be penalised. It is not a case of will you pay back, you must pay back."

Minister of State Hackett said she "actually spent most of April and May in Leinster House" as part of the Government formation preparations and talks.

"I led the Green Party's negotiations on agriculture, as well as biodiversity and natural heritage, and contributed to Government formation talks on Just Transition.

"I believe this work led to me being appointed Minister for Land Use and Biodiversity, and the only Midlands voice with a seat at the cabinet table," she said.

Ballinasloe Fine Gael representative Aisling Dolan was not yet a member of the Seanad in April and May, having only been appointed, as a Taoiseach's nominee, in late June.

Senators are paid the parliamentary standard allowance to defray constituency costs, expected mileage, vehicle wear and tear, subsistence and hotel bills. The amounts are allocated automatically, based on the Senator's distance from Dublin.