No Expenses Spared
A couple of weeks back some readers took me to task for not blogging about the release of Stormont expenses. One reason I held back at that stage is that I had an idea of what might be brewing in relation to the past allowances. Andy Martin's report on "Good Morning Ulster" has now made those matters public.
When we were called into an Assembly briefing on the release of 2008/09 expenses questions were raised about the big round sums paid to some party headquarters. But at that stage officials explained it as a matter of personal choice for the politicians. Some organised their own secretarial and research requirements, whilst others preferred to let their parties provide them centrally.
Andy's figures, putting Sinn Fein at nearly £2 million, well ahead of the Ulster Unionists at £380,000, raise a question about whether the Assembly allowances are being used to support politicians in their necessary constituency work or - in Sinn Fein's case in particular - have been used as a "tithe" to supplement the general party coffers.
Sinn Fein officials point out that the "Office Costs Allowance" is not limited to constituency work but is meant to support their MLAs in their general Assembly functions. So, the argument goes, if MLAs band together to pay for centrally provided research on, say, rural planning then that is a legitimate and effective use of resources.
They also point out that other parties tend to use the bulk of their "Office Costs Allowance", so it's not the case that republicans are costing the taxpayer more on average than their counterparts. There seems to be a hint also that because Sinn Fein workers get lower rates than other employees this has freed up more of the OCA for their general research work.
Nevertheless when you look at, say, and see round figures for £13,400 and £10,800, then, for example, with round figures of £13,300, £11,900 and £6,500, it's hard not to wonder where that cash is ultimately going to.
Sinn Fein aren't "themselves alone" on this one. If you look at last year's top claimer, you can see bills from SDLP HQ of £1,950, £1,500, £2,500 and £900.
Maybe there is nothing awry (although I see that, predictably, ). But it would probably increase public confidence in the assembly if there were some system of secondary auditing so the ultimate use of money paid to party headquarters could be independently verified.
Defending his party, Sinn Fein's John O'Dowd argued that other politicians employ their husbands and wives to do similar work rather than ensuring it is carried out centrally. Andy Martin mentioned the employment of some relatives in building work on MLA offices during his broadcast this morning and tomorrow's "Good Morning Ulster" is expected to have more on that score. The Assembly has just adopted a which will include a register of family members, expected to be published next month. Again, given the level of suspicion around expenses, whether they are at Stormont or Westminster, the publication of this register will not be before time.
Andy also raised the large sums approved for repairing or altering MLA offices. That's something which will raise eyebrows amongst anyone who has been a tenant, and who expects their landlord to pick up the bill for maintenance. I suppose a case can be made for MLAs paying the bill if an office has to be altered to suit their particular purposes (for example by ensuring full access for constituents with disabilities). However there is clearly room for debate about which alterations should be paid for by a tenant and which by a landlord. And if a politician rents from their party or a family member then there is always the potential for a perceived conflict of interest.
Finally an admission. The headline for this entry is plagiarised from the I am reading it at the moment and would recommend it to anyone looking for - in Anthony Howard's words - a "racy, pacy" read.
I'm 
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