asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will state, in respect of the Members of Parliament of each of the member states of the EEC, (1) the salaries of such Members; (2) the ratios of average salaries of parliamentarians to average national salaries generally; (3) the research, secretarial expenses and resources available to such Members; (4) the expenses and allowances available to such Members; (5) the per capita office space and accommodation in Parliament and in their constituencies available to such Members; and (6) the standard of recreational and social facilities associated with the various Parliaments in the EEC; and if he will make a comprehensive statement regarding possible improvements in the general standard of such facilities for Members of Dáil and Seanad Éireann.
Written Answers. - EEC Parliamentary Salaries and Conditions.
The information requested by the Deputy is given below. The question of possible improvements in the general standard of facilities for Members of Dáil and Seanad Éireann is a matter for consideration in the first instance by the committee on Procedure and Privileges.
Following is the information:
EUROPEAN MEMBERS OF PARLIAMENT.
|
Annual Salary |
Ratio of Salary to Average National Salary |
Research and Secretarial Expenses and Resources Available |
Expense Allowances |
Office Space and Accommodation Available |
Social and Recreational Facilities |
|
|
Belgium |
1,310,000 BF(£22,200) |
Figures not available |
Subsidy of 200,000 BF (£3,300) per member payable to each party group in Parliament. Free in-land telephone service. Free stationery and postage (limited). |
Free inland bus and train travel. Reduction for flights within Belgian Territory. No private car allowance. |
Members do not have individual offices; they can use Parliament library or party offices. |
|
|
Denmark |
131,806 D.KR.(£12,800) |
Figures not available |
Subsidy of about D.KR. 45,000 (£4,370) per member per annum is paid to each party for research and secretarial expenses. Free stationery. Free in-land telephone service from the Folketing. |
Annual subsistence allowance of between Kr. 12,300 (£1,190) and D.KR. 36,200 (£3,510), depending on distance of constituency from Copenhagen. Free inland bus, rail, ferry and air travel. |
Most members have a room each. |
|
|
Federal Republic of Germany. |
Bundestag (Lower House: DM 90,000(£23,800)Bundestrat (Upper House):No salary. |
Approximately 3¾ times the average national salary (DM 2,015 per month). |
Bundestag (Lower House) has a Library and Press Documentation Centre, with a total of about 400 staff to provide research services for Deputies. Free postage. |
DM 54,000 (£14,300) per annum to cover:—(a) subsistence,(b) complete upkeep of office outside Budestag,(c) care of the constituency.(d) official travel within the FRG. |
Fully-equipped office provided in Bundestag for each Deputy. |
Bundestag (Lower House) has a sports club, with football and tennis facilities. |
|
France |
FF 192,180(£22,880) |
Figures not available. |
FF 5,300 (£640) per month for a Secretary and FF 4,200 (£500) per month for an assistant. Free stationery and postage. Free inland telephone service from Parliament; quota of free calls from members home. |
Residence allowance of FF 1,190 (£140) per month. Free rail travel. Eighty free air journeys to constituency and 8 journeys within French territory per annum. Loans provided at privileged rates to buy houses and flats. |
Separate office for each representative in National Assembly. |
Sports and recreation hall. Sauna. |
|
Italy |
Lire 16,578,950(£10,490) |
Figures not available. |
Salary (“indemnity”) specifically includes research and secretarial expenses. Free local telephone service. |
Subsistence allowance of Lire 3,240,000 (£2,050) per annum. Seventy free return trips from constituency to Parliament, by public transport. Free rail travel at all times. |
Office space is provided for members who hold particular offices in either house. |
Restaurant and bar services in each house. |
|
Luxembourg |
Fr. Lux. 288,800(£4,900) |
Figures not available. |
Secretarial allowance of Fr. Lux 83,000 (£1,400) per member, payable to parties. Free telephone service from Parliamentary building. |
Free rail travel within the Grand-Duchy. Travel costs reimbursed. |
Each political party has one office and one secretary at its disposal. |
|
|
The Netherlands |
Second Chamber:(Deputies) FL 85,000 (£21,250) |
Second Chamber:Three times the national average. |
Second Chamber:Allowance of FL 18,000 (£4,500) per annum for a Secretary/Assistant. Free telephone service from the Parliamentary buildings. Free postage. |
Second Chamber:Subsistence Allowance of FL 9,373-18,746 (£2,300-£4,600). Travel expenses for journeys between home and Parliament. |
Second Chamber:Office in the Parliament Building. |
Gymnasium Restaurants, Coffee rooms and bar. |
|
First Chamber: (Senators) No Salary. Daily allowance for each day that the Chamber meets of between FL 94 (£23) and FL 187 (£46) depending on distance from place of residence to The Hague. |
First Chamber: Library, documentation section and typing pool available. |
First Chamber: FL 6,365 (£1,590) per annum travel expenses. FL 3,893 (£970) per annum for other expenses. Hotel expenses in The Hague are paid for. |
First Chamber: Each political group has one room available for meetings etc. |
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|
United Kingdom |
House of Commons:£6,270House of Lords:Nil. |
Figures not available. |
House of Commons: Allowance of up to £3,687 per annum for secretarial or research assistance and office expenses. Free stationery. Free inland postage and telephone service. |
House of Commons: Subsistence allowance of up to £2,534 per annum if the member has to stay away from home. Allowance of £385 per annum for London members. Repayment of fare or car mileage allowance (13.4 pence per mile) for all journeys between home and Westminster, and within constituency. |
There are 254 single rooms available (80 of these for Ministers), out of a total of 673 writing places allocated to members. |
Gymnasium in House of Parliament. |
|
(from 1.11.77) |
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|
Ireland |
Deputies£6,273 |
Figures not available |
Party allowances.Deputies have use of typing pool.14 Clerical assistants are available to members of Dáil Éireann who are not office holders. |
Overnight subsistence allowance of £10.00 for country members and £3.00 for Dublin members, when attending Oireachtas sittings or Committee meetings. |
Approx, 200 writting places for Oireachtas members. There are 32 single rooms for Ministers and office holders. |
Restaurants and and bars. |
|
Free stationery and postage (limit of 300 letters per week) |
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|
Senators:£3,693 |
Library with 4 assistants to provide research services for Oireachtas members. |
Repayment of fare or car mileage allowance for all journeys between home, constituency and the Oireachtas. |
Deputies share from 3 to 7 per office, as allocated by parties. |
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Certain free telephone facilities. |