Menu
23/10/2009
Further Stormont Expenses Revealed
Many of Northern Ireland MLAs still claimed office expenses during the suspension of devolution, it has been revealed.
Details of claims made by Assembly members between 2003 and 2008 have been published for the first time, and show most continued to receive the maximum £48,000 for office costs.
The devolved government was suspended in October 2002 and despite an election in May 2003, the institutions were not reinstated until another election in March 2007.
Direct rule was imposed when then Secretary of State John Reid dissolved the local Executive's powers.
All claims made by MLAs during this time were approved by the Assembly and complied with expenses rules.
Monies were used to pay office rents, cover staff salaries and facilitate equipment.
Sinn Fein members were the highest claimants for administration charges. Party president Gerry Adams was reimbursed £17,000 for secretarial services in 2005/06. The same year he paid £9000 for rental costs on a property in west Belfast.
During this period Peter Robinson, the then DUP deputy leader, paid £5,600 to his party for office rental.
Former Strangford MLA Lord Kilclooney paid a portion of allowance into a company he owned.
The Ulster Unionist peer said the firm, West Ulster Estates, was used to administer running costs and the payments had been approved by the fees office.
Other MLAs were allowed to rent premises from relatives under the rules.
Patsy McGlone of the SDLP paid a relation £2,400 during 2005/2006 for the office space.
The property was bought over from Mr McGlone's previous landlord by the relative.
Mr McGlone only rented the office for a year after the ownership changed.
(PR/GK)
Details of claims made by Assembly members between 2003 and 2008 have been published for the first time, and show most continued to receive the maximum £48,000 for office costs.
The devolved government was suspended in October 2002 and despite an election in May 2003, the institutions were not reinstated until another election in March 2007.
Direct rule was imposed when then Secretary of State John Reid dissolved the local Executive's powers.
All claims made by MLAs during this time were approved by the Assembly and complied with expenses rules.
Monies were used to pay office rents, cover staff salaries and facilitate equipment.
Sinn Fein members were the highest claimants for administration charges. Party president Gerry Adams was reimbursed £17,000 for secretarial services in 2005/06. The same year he paid £9000 for rental costs on a property in west Belfast.
During this period Peter Robinson, the then DUP deputy leader, paid £5,600 to his party for office rental.
Former Strangford MLA Lord Kilclooney paid a portion of allowance into a company he owned.
The Ulster Unionist peer said the firm, West Ulster Estates, was used to administer running costs and the payments had been approved by the fees office.
Other MLAs were allowed to rent premises from relatives under the rules.
Patsy McGlone of the SDLP paid a relation £2,400 during 2005/2006 for the office space.
The property was bought over from Mr McGlone's previous landlord by the relative.
Mr McGlone only rented the office for a year after the ownership changed.
(PR/GK)
Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
10 September 2002
MLA's call for new firefighters pay scheme
Two UUP MLA's have called on the Northern Ireland Executive to implement a new pay scheme for Ulster's firefighters. North Antrim UUP MLA the Rev Robert Coulter called for the introduction of a new pay formula in a motion to the Assembly on Monday. Mr Coulter said he hoped it would help achieve a real remedy to the question of firefighter’s pay.
MLA's call for new firefighters pay scheme
Two UUP MLA's have called on the Northern Ireland Executive to implement a new pay scheme for Ulster's firefighters. North Antrim UUP MLA the Rev Robert Coulter called for the introduction of a new pay formula in a motion to the Assembly on Monday. Mr Coulter said he hoped it would help achieve a real remedy to the question of firefighter’s pay.
15 May 2007
MLAs receive ‘45% pay rise’
Assembly members in Northern Ireland are set to have their office allowances increased by around 45%, sources have revealed. Secretary of State Peter Hain recommended an independent body review the salaries, and just days before devolution was restored the decision was made to raise the money from just under £50,000 to £70,000.
MLAs receive ‘45% pay rise’
Assembly members in Northern Ireland are set to have their office allowances increased by around 45%, sources have revealed. Secretary of State Peter Hain recommended an independent body review the salaries, and just days before devolution was restored the decision was made to raise the money from just under £50,000 to £70,000.
25 February 2002
Assembly Members' expenses run to £4m a year
Members of the Northern Ireland Assembly claimed nearly £4 million in office and travel expenses in the financial year ending in April 2000. Details of expenses among the province's 108 assembly members (MLAs) for the year 1999/2000 have been published on the assembly's website.
Assembly Members' expenses run to £4m a year
Members of the Northern Ireland Assembly claimed nearly £4 million in office and travel expenses in the financial year ending in April 2000. Details of expenses among the province's 108 assembly members (MLAs) for the year 1999/2000 have been published on the assembly's website.
29 September 2009
MLAs' Expenses Revealed
Nearly £8m was claimed in expenses by Northern Ireland's 108 MLAs during the last financial year. More than £2.5m has already been claimed since April 2009, it was also revealed. According to figures released yesterday, SDLP MLA Pat Ramsey was the highest claimant at Stormont between 2008/09.
MLAs' Expenses Revealed
Nearly £8m was claimed in expenses by Northern Ireland's 108 MLAs during the last financial year. More than £2.5m has already been claimed since April 2009, it was also revealed. According to figures released yesterday, SDLP MLA Pat Ramsey was the highest claimant at Stormont between 2008/09.
17 February 2020
Stormont Spads & Salaries Published
The names and salaries of Stormont's special advisers have been revealed, with a few former MLAs and serving councillors returning to work with the new Executive. A total of 14 Spads have been appointed, two less than the previous group before Stormont was suspended in 2017.
Stormont Spads & Salaries Published
The names and salaries of Stormont's special advisers have been revealed, with a few former MLAs and serving councillors returning to work with the new Executive. A total of 14 Spads have been appointed, two less than the previous group before Stormont was suspended in 2017.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherThis Evening and Tonight:West to northwest gale force winds, severe along the north coast, will continue overnight. Frequent showers persist, merging into longer periods of rain at times and turning wintry. Minimum temperature 1 °C.
