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Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 6 Nov 1974

Vol. 275 No. 7

Vote 2: Houses of the Oireachtas.

I move:

That a supplementary sum not exceeding £30,000 be granted to defray the charge which will come in course of payment during the period commencing on the 1st day of April, 1974, and ending on the 31st day of December, 1974, for the salaries and expenses of the Houses of the Oireachtas, including certain grants-in-aid.

Subhead A, £25,000, is to provide the increases which become payable under the Members of the Oireachtas and Ministerial and Parliamentary Offices (Allowances and Salaries) Order, 1974, which has already been before the House for more than 21 days and has not been disputed.

Subhead B is in respect of increased motor mileage rates and overnight allowances for Deputies.

Subhead D is a similar increase for Senators.

Subhead I is to provide for the payment of pensions to widows of former Members of the Oireachtas whose membership terminated before the introduction of the contributory scheme in 1960.

Subhead J is to provide a sum of £24,000 which is required to meet the addition required for the operation of parity provisions for former Members of the House. This principle was approved by resolution of the House last July.

As far as I can see, apart from subheads B and D, the others involved in this Supplementary Estimate arise directly out of the implementation of the national pay agreement either in regard to salaries and allowances or in regard to pensions. To the extent that they implement the national pay agreement, of course there is no objection from this side of the House. As far as subheads B and D are concerned, relating to travelling expenses, I am not as familiar as perhaps I should be with the details of what is involved here but I understand that what is involved is some increase in travelling expenses consequent on increased costs of travelling under various heads with which we are all familiar. As far as we on this side of the House are concerned, this Supplementary Estimate proposed by the Minister is one to which we have no objection and which we support.

Vote put and agreed to.
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