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THE GOVERNMENT HAVE approved a new once-off allowance for politicians to reimburse their security costs, with TDs and Senators able to claim up to €5,000.
Cabinet this morning agreed to introduce a Security Requirements Allowance for TDs and Senators after consultations with the Attorney General.
The allowance will allow politicians to claim back up to 50% of their personal security costs, to the maximum value of €5,000. The allowance would be a once-off, vouched expense.
The allowance will cover TDs and Senators improving the security of their staff, homes and offices, but requires a security review to be carried out by a member of An Garda Síochána.
Gardaí have provided some suggestions as to what politicians can have installed, including CCTV cameras, panic buttons and intruder alarms.
Work carried out to install any security measures must be carried out by registered installers and it must meet industry standards.
The proposal will require amendments to existing legislation, with Minister Paschal Donohoe aiming to have the amendments passed as soon as possible.
It comes after politicians were urged to consider a personal alarm as well as not hold constituency clinics alone as part of fresh security advice from the Oireachtas.
All TDs and Senators received the advice in January, just a week after a bag of excrement was thrown at Fianna Fáil Minister of State Anne Rabbitte and Fine Gael TD Ciarán Cannon while attending a public meeting in Galway.
It also follows a meeting between female TDs and Ceann Comhairle Seán Ó Feargháil to address safety concerns. Justice Minister Simon Harris said that issues raised at the meeting would be taken “extremely seriously”.
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These people already earn more than most, even compared with their peers in other far bigger states in Europe, and that’s not to mention most claim more than the average industrial wage in allowances and expenses. Out of touch doesn’t scratch the surface. FFG Out.
@Daniel Gilroy: Most people on the average industrial wage don’t have to worry about brainless fascists attacking them or picketing their home. We reap what we sow when we tolerated or defended this thuggery.
@Elrond Rivendell: What are you on about? You need to step into the real world for a while like a good man.
@David Corrigan: Did right wing nut jobs picket politicians homes? Do politicians receive death threats? That is the real world.
@Elrond Rivendell: Death threats? Do you honestly think that people take notice of such nonsense? Do you think that there are angry voters out there sitting in their homes thinking about killing a politician? Seriously?
Like I said. Grow up and come up with new material like a good man.
@David Corrigan: I’m sure Jo Cox and David Amess didn’t take it seriously either and that worked out well right? Do I think there are ugly fascists capable of assault or murder of politicians? Yes, you gøbshite. It doesn’t surprise that a person with the IQ of an amoeba doesn’t think so because all politicians bad right?
@Elrond Rivendell: I asked about Irish politicians you bell end. Irish politicians are not important enough to target for Gods sake. Their decisions does not affect anything or anyone outside this country. Our politicians are not involved in managing wars in other countries etc so they will never be important on a global scale.
You need to come back to the real world whenever you get a minute and try and calm down with your wild statements.
@David Corrigan: So the people protesting outside the homes of Stephen Donnelly, Simon Harris, Paul Murphy, those involved in the Jobstown incident all did so because of Ireland’s involvement or otherwise in foreign conflicts? NO! They did so over domestic issues you utter knob feature. I see later in the thread you seem to imply that politicians should make the “right” decisions and they’ll have nothing to worry about. I think I see why politicians having security would worry a scrote like you.
@Elrond Rivendell: Harmless peaceful protests around the country and you want to bring in the special forces. Calm down and grow the bloody well up will you.
There is no danger to any politician in this country so please stop what you are doing. Nobody takes you seriously.
@David Corrigan: You’re really showing your true colours here. A) Thinking it’s ok to protest outside a private residence-Check. B) Puts words in other peoples’ mouths-Check. C) Wants to downplay the seriousness of death threats to people-Check. D) Nervous at the idea that politicians will be protected from threats of violence-Check. E) Categorises protests outside private homes as peaceful protests-Check. Yup, I know your kind alright.
@Elrond Rivendell: Captain Jump to Conclusions strikes again! What a plank!
Where did I say it was ok to protest outside a politicians house? I said it was ok to protest. Massive difference.
Look here. It’s time you put away the shovel son. You did well enough for a new account but it’s time you took a break and went back to watching cartoons on the telly. Try again tomorrow after you get a big sleepie.
If they were doing a great job for the Irish people they could leave their front door open! The fact is they are selling out the Irish people therefore they need security!
@Brian Boru: your spot on,and what about the ordinary people who are scared to walk the streets,and people working in the evening or later,what security does all those people have nothing,and if anything bad happens,the Garda stations haven’t enough staff..the whole Country is broken….
Yey! Politicians are thankfully able to approve more free money for themselves!
The funny thing is that if anyone else feels the need to install increased their personal security measures or cctv, they have to pay for it out of their own pocket..
Wish I could vote in my own pay rise and allowances… :(
And people on here complain about oligarchs and dictators, Lets sort our own out first.
@Dave Huston: Yeah, good attempt at pretending to be Irish, Russian bot boy.
@Elrond Rivendell: I grew up in Artane you tool.
A disgrace more money for the elite
Sure a lot of them are getting 6 figure salaries, chauffeur driven cars and other lucrative expenses and now this? Make them pay for extra security themselves or reduce their own salaries to pay for it. Sure we’re a great little country to find money for the likes of this but not other important ?
@Dave Murray: Ireland, Just a big Laugh,
The gravy train just keeps getting better and better.
Any excuse to bump up their already overflowing wallets and the voters will pay for it.
What a surprise.
Disgraceful that 11 people are appointed by the new government as Senators . Not exactly democracy in action. And I an irish citizen does not have a vote. Incredible Enda Kenny appointed a friend a senator eventhough his friend was living in America where he still lives. Seriously people.
That’s great. Everyone else would have to pay out of their own pocket if they could afford it, borrow it or else go without but our poor politicians who earn way more than most need financial assistance.
The cost of security just went up a notch.
What about Emergency services? These people need protection more than a politician! Regularly attacked in hospitals and on the mean streets.
It’ll be interesting to see which parties refuse to take this allowance knowing that it might push them into power in the next GE. People can only take so much.
@Aonghus OReilly: Well you know what to do next Election….I Do.
They should be paying for their own security devices at home and their political parties should be paying for any security at their offices
These td’s are seriously deaf, dumb and blind to how the public feel, or maybe they do know and honestly don’t care, it’s going beyond an insult
@Maire Morrison: The second part of course, they know exactly how to get as much gravy as possible and will continue to work for the gravy until WE call a stop to it, and yes they do not care.
If all these “expenses” and golden pensions were removed a large majority of these crooks would be gone within the year. To be an honorable Teachta Dála means to pull on the green shirt for your fellow country folk, it’s meant to be a calling, and if you do a great job and based on doing a great job then you get a great salary and pension, you are also in the privileged position to leave a legacy that could echo through future generations.
Currently it’s cronyism, nepotism, corruption and all sorts of skullduggery, feathering one’s own nest by corrupting the system at the expense of the donkeys who are on their knees for many a service and some semblance of a quality life.
The French have the right idea, people power dictating what their government do in the service of the people, the entire reason a government exits in the first place. Worth being reminded that the current protests in France are not because of the retirement age change but because they are trying to force the change.
I’m disabled have no family,I live in a council house,and the outside lights front and back won’t work properly,no matter what bulbs are put in,I applied for a security lights,I would have been happy with one even out the back,and was told I wasn’t entitled too it,but they can pay themselves what they like,giving themselves a few pay rises in the 1 year,and now this made up excuse for more money,but they can’t help the most vulnerable,who are genuine,and have so little to live on, have no way of working,but it don’t matter,today he was saying his helping with the cost of living,basically single mothers,with allowances and free back to school grants,and can work,get income support,but nothing for the working people,or the elderly and disabled..disgrace
Unbelievable..
An utterly disgrace
Why shouldn’t all frontline public servants get this too?!!
Are you fekn serious!!!!
Ireland needs a new political party with fresh ideas and no baggage from the past. A party that represents tax payers not what we have at the moment or what is coming down the road by way of sf.
@Visitacion Macaraeg: Totally Agree, Some Honesty would be welcome, something we never had from politicians. When they come to my door canvassing I tell them to clear off they are on private property.
Must be paying the lads in the hand. Cash is king.
If they weren’t such lying ,,self serving traitors and did what they were supposed to be doing and serve the Irish people they wouldn’t need to be worried about their security..
The only people that you should be angry with here are the people who took it upon themselves to protest outside other people’s homes.
If those people didn’t act like they did then there would be no need for this to be introduced, plain and simple!
@Fi Wyse: As you said outside, no threat to thier security. I do t agree with these protesters going to private houses, but I also don’t agree with them giving themselves 5k either.
@John O Mahony: Well the only reason why they are giving themselves this money is because they need to increase their security because they feel threatened by the people that are protesting outside their houses. They are just in the advantageous position to be able to have a budget for it whereas people like me and you need to install cameras etc at our own cost.
Moral of the story don’t threaten somebody’s security in public so that they get throw our money at it.
@Fi Wyse: If they did their jobs right they wouldn’t need this.
@David Corrigan: so are you saying then that anytime somebody doesn’t do a job right for you you go and protest outside their house??
@Fi Wyse: No. I am saying that if they can’t do their jobs, they should be fired. It’s called ACCOUNTABILITY. We have politicians promising the sun, moon and stars before the elections. Then they go in the complete opposite direction and deliver nothing.
Are you happy that they can just get away scot free with that? Seriously?
@Fi Wyse: no threats were made. If there’s a major protest through Dublin should stores get 5k to build security in case ofvriot/ looting, they certainly won’t get it from government fat cats who line thier own pockets. You won’t get much security for 5k,, another b.s. excuse to line thier pockets
Wonder why they would need it, maybe their boss could arrange it next time they meet in Davos.
Are SF TD’s going to get it as well???
This is their jobs, their family have nothing to do with their work, the protesters that came to their family home! Scared the life out of women and children! They are to blame for this!!!! But yes also they should cut other benefits to allow for this…. that would be my solution anyway
@Sue O’Neill: The ministers and TD’s could cut their own lucrative expenses to pay for this.
@Dave Murray: Yep Dave, I agree. That’s kind of what I meant with ” benefits” should have said expenses. Sorry
The fact that we live in a country where our politicians (and their families) need security is a sad reflection on some groups in our population. People seem to think that personal insults and veiled threats are ok. Our moral standards have totally collapsed.
@sean o’dhubhghaill: “some groups in out population”. Do that include the group who call themselves “politicians” Seanie?
@David Corrigan: Not tbe point I am making. They were elected by us and if we believe in democracy then abuse should NOT be part of the deal.
@sean o’dhubhghaill: Fair enough Sean but it works both ways. If people are not happy with the decisions that are made then they are more than entitled to voice their opinion. There is no evidence that politicians are in danger.
If the people of Ireland vote for these corporate establishment parties again we deserve every bit of authoritarian hardship inflicted on us! It’s absolutely ridiculous how people can follow these criminals blindly a d keep voting for them.. disgusting
The shinners won’t get it, surely?
They’re hardly going to attack themselves.
@elrond Rivendell: where are you from? Seeing as your so interested where everybody else is from….
@William Slevin: A fake account from a drama queen who is rampaging all over this report putting out false claims. He/she is all over the place!!!!
Anyone who really wanted could easily gain access to someone. They would just have to wait until a public event, election campaign, sports event etc.
Something announced that the target will be attending.
5k is nothing. The money will be spent on something crap like a ring doorbell.
The only way to ensure safety is if they never go out in public
Maybe all those senators and tds would agree to pool this payment this year and give it to the arw as a contribution towards the outstanding payments they are owed for services to the state, including deploying to afghanistan and sudan to secure the exfil of irish diplomats citizens
Sean O dhubhghaill 11 senators are not elected. They are chosen by our new government. 1 of the chosen failed at the general election and the senate election within weeks. Michael Martin disagreed. John Mulligan an ignorant comment about Sin Fein.
Have they to pay back the other 50%, when they no longer hold office!
have your say