Menu
07/02/2008
Paisley Jnr Defends 'Three Paycheck' Controversy
The Assembly Junior Minister, MLA, and Assistant to Paisley Snr at Westminster, Ian Paisley Jnr, has spoken out in defence of his present 'triple whammy' of government offices.
Reports earlier this week revealed that Paisley Jnr, on top of his two Stormont positions, was also on his father’s House of Commons payroll as a parliamentary assistant, totaling three paychecks from the public purse.
The controversy details came to light after a crack-down on payments to family members was sparked by an investigation into Tory MP Derek Conway’s research payments to his son.
However, Ian Paisley Jnr yesterday said he had worked with his father for 20 years, and had declared the role in the Assembly's register of interests since 1998.
MLA’s and MP’s are entitled to employ family members under Westminster and Assembly rules.
He also said: "I have never once received a complaint about my work or my work rate and the people I interact with have extremely pressing problems and they receive an efficient and effective service."
Mr Paisley Jnr’s statement came after the Chair of the Committee on Standards in Public Life, Sir Alistair Graham, said: "I would call on him to explain to the people at large how much public funding he's actually been accessing, so that taxpayers can determine whether they are getting value for money."
SDLP MLA Declan O'Loan, in response to the revelations, said: "There are fundamental unanswered questions on the level of payments and the hours involved."
Mr Paisley Jnr’s two Assembly posts as an MLA and a Junior Minister in his father's department earn him some £60,000 a year.
(DW)
Reports earlier this week revealed that Paisley Jnr, on top of his two Stormont positions, was also on his father’s House of Commons payroll as a parliamentary assistant, totaling three paychecks from the public purse.
The controversy details came to light after a crack-down on payments to family members was sparked by an investigation into Tory MP Derek Conway’s research payments to his son.
However, Ian Paisley Jnr yesterday said he had worked with his father for 20 years, and had declared the role in the Assembly's register of interests since 1998.
MLA’s and MP’s are entitled to employ family members under Westminster and Assembly rules.
He also said: "I have never once received a complaint about my work or my work rate and the people I interact with have extremely pressing problems and they receive an efficient and effective service."
Mr Paisley Jnr’s statement came after the Chair of the Committee on Standards in Public Life, Sir Alistair Graham, said: "I would call on him to explain to the people at large how much public funding he's actually been accessing, so that taxpayers can determine whether they are getting value for money."
SDLP MLA Declan O'Loan, in response to the revelations, said: "There are fundamental unanswered questions on the level of payments and the hours involved."
Mr Paisley Jnr’s two Assembly posts as an MLA and a Junior Minister in his father's department earn him some £60,000 a year.
(DW)
Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
01 July 2009
No Jail For Paisley Jnr Over Contempt
A high profile Stormont Assembly member was fined £5,000 yesterday for refusing to reveal the name of a confidential source. However, while MLA Ian Paisley Jnr will have to find a considerably higher sum - taking into account costs - he won't be going to prison.
No Jail For Paisley Jnr Over Contempt
A high profile Stormont Assembly member was fined £5,000 yesterday for refusing to reveal the name of a confidential source. However, while MLA Ian Paisley Jnr will have to find a considerably higher sum - taking into account costs - he won't be going to prison.
05 March 2008
Ian Paisley Announces The End Is Nigh
Ian Paisley has dramatically announced his intention to step down as First Minister less than half way through his term of office. Speculation raged after Mr Paisley invited journalists to a media briefing amidst mounting pressure from his party and growing speculation from the media he was soon to step down.
Ian Paisley Announces The End Is Nigh
Ian Paisley has dramatically announced his intention to step down as First Minister less than half way through his term of office. Speculation raged after Mr Paisley invited journalists to a media briefing amidst mounting pressure from his party and growing speculation from the media he was soon to step down.
04 March 2008
Paisley Senior Pushed By Party
Ian Paisley is facing a new bout of pressure to step down as the leader of the DUP from his own party. There is growing speculation senior members of his party are considering plans to see the now 82 year-old politician to conclude his leadership amid further controversy surrounding Ian Paisley Jnr.
Paisley Senior Pushed By Party
Ian Paisley is facing a new bout of pressure to step down as the leader of the DUP from his own party. There is growing speculation senior members of his party are considering plans to see the now 82 year-old politician to conclude his leadership amid further controversy surrounding Ian Paisley Jnr.
26 February 2008
Donaldson Made Junior Minister
A relative 'new boy' to the Democratic Unionist Party, Co Down MP Jeffrey Donaldson has been sworn in as Northern Ireland's new Junior Minister. A former Ulster Unionist, Mr Donaldson, who is the Lagan Valley MP, defected to the DUP in 2004 after a high-profile fall-out with his then party leader, David (now Lord Trimble).
Donaldson Made Junior Minister
A relative 'new boy' to the Democratic Unionist Party, Co Down MP Jeffrey Donaldson has been sworn in as Northern Ireland's new Junior Minister. A former Ulster Unionist, Mr Donaldson, who is the Lagan Valley MP, defected to the DUP in 2004 after a high-profile fall-out with his then party leader, David (now Lord Trimble).
20 February 2008
DUP Not Disclosing 'Family' Staffing
The DUP has been left behind as the sole NI party not to have revealed which of its members have family members employed in backroom posts. Details emerged from the Ulster Unionist Party (UUP) - where it has been revealed that seven UUP members are currently employing family members - and paying them from the public purse.
DUP Not Disclosing 'Family' Staffing
The DUP has been left behind as the sole NI party not to have revealed which of its members have family members employed in backroom posts. Details emerged from the Ulster Unionist Party (UUP) - where it has been revealed that seven UUP members are currently employing family members - and paying them from the public purse.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:It will be cloudy again throughout the day. Mainly dry in the morning, but patchy drizzle in places, becoming more widespread and persistent in the afternoon. Freshening southwesterly winds. Maximum temperature 12 °C.Tonight:Cloudy with a spell of heavy rain pushing south through late evening and the early hours, followed by some clear spells. Minimum temperature 6 °C.
