Political Funding.

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 10 February 2009

Tuesday, 10 February 2009

Questions (165)

Joan Burton

Question:

213 Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Finance if, in respect to the payment of the party’s annual allowance from the State, including the leader’s allowance, this money will continue to be paid after the Progressive Democrats are officially wound up on 28 February 2009; the persons to whom this money will continue to be paid; if the individual Deputies, whether as Independents or as members of another political party, will receive payments in lieu of the payment paid to the Progressive Democrats; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4352/09]

Written answers

Minister for Finance (Deputy Brian Lenihan)

The annual allowance to a parliamentary leader of a qualifying party ceases with the dissolution of that party except where there is an amalgamation of the party or the acceptance of all of the members of that party into a specified other qualifying party. There is however, no provision for the transfer of an allowance payable on behalf of an elected member of Dáil Éireann or Seanad Éireann who was elected as a member of a qualifying party and who is subsequently deemed independent as a result of the dissolution of that party.