30 Oct 2012, 17:55
The Committee of Public Accounts will continue its examination of public sector allowances when it meets with representatives from the Irish Congress of Trade Unions tomorrow, Wednesday 31 October, 2012.
A delegation from the Public Service Committee of ICTU will address the Committee comprising:
- Shay Cody, General Secretary of IMPACT
- Tom Geraghty, General Secretary of the PSEU
- Patricia King, Deputy General Secretary of SIPTU
- Sheila Nunan, General Secretary of INTO.
Chairman of the Committee John McGuinness, TD, said: “In recent weeks, our Committee has discussed a range of public sector allowances in some detail in an open and clearheaded manner. The system of allowances paid to the public service is often complicated and has been built up over many years. The meetings have been useful in explaining the history and rationale behind their existence.
\"We look forward to continuing our consideration of the matter with senior union representatives tomorrow. In recent weeks, General Secretary of ICTU David Begg publically acknowledged that the allowance system needs to be simplified. It is not normal for the Public Service Committee of ICTU to make a presentation to the PAC but this something we welcome as part of our on-going review of public sector allowances.\"
The engagement with ICTU will be followed by a meeting with the Secretary General of the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government. The meeting will consider allowances of those employed by the Department and local authorities across the country.
Deputy McGuinness concluded: “As part of our continuing examination of this issue with the Accounting Officers of Government Departments, the Committee will meet with Geraldine Tallon, Secretary General of the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government. Committee Members will be particularly keen to explore the scope of the allowances being paid to staff of local authorities across the country.”
This meeting starts at 2pm on Wednesday 31 October in Committee Room 1, LH 2000.
Committee proceedings can be followed live here.
Ends
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Committee of Public Accounts
Membership
John McGuinness (Chairman)
Kieran O’Donnell (Vice Chairman)
Paul J Connaughton,
John Deasy,
Paschal Donohoe,
Gerald Nash,
Simon Harris,
Michael McCarthy,
Mary Lou McDonald,
Sean Fleming,
Eoghan Murphy,
Derek Nolan,
Shane Ross