Financial Report for 2010

Salary, Allowances & Foreign Travel

As a MEP my basic salary is set at 38.5% of the basic salary of a judge at the European Court of Justice. Representing the Constituency of Ireland East in the European Parliament is a full-time commitment and as such I do not derive remuneration from any other employment.

The salary is from the European Parliament's budget and I pay tax in Europe and in Ireland.

MEP’s receive a number of allowances that are intended to cover the expenditure incurred in the performance of their parliamentary duties. Below, I've outlined the allowances I received in 2010 and the expenses I incurred last year through my work as a MEP.

Travelling to the European Parliament

Most meetings of the European Parliament, such as plenary sessions, committee meetings and political group meetings, take place in Brussels or Strasbourg. MEPs are refunded the ACTUAL cost of their travel tickets for attending such meetings on presentation of receipts and boarding passes. MEPs also receive a fixed allowance to cover all other travel costs incurred making these journeys.

Annual Travel Allowance

MEPs often have to travel outside their home Member State in the performance of their duties but for purposes other than official meetings (for example, to attend a conference in another Member State or to make a working visit to another country in his/her capacity as rapporteur).

To cover this eventuality, MEPs receive reimbursement from a fixed yearly travel allowance for their travel, accommodation and associated expenses. These expenses must be vouched.

Subsistence Allowance

The European Parliament pays this flat-rate allowance for each day of attendance at official meetings of the Parliament bodies on which the Member serves that are held within the European Community. It covers accommodation, meals and all other expenses involved in such attendance. Parliament pays the allowance ONLY if the Member has signed an official attendance register.

I use the Subsistence Allowance to pay for an apartment in Brussels and a hotel in Strasbourg (12 sessions per annum), the total costs for which were €36,480.00 in 2010. I used the balance to pay for utilities.

European Parliament link »

Pensions

Under the statute, former Members will be entitled to an old-age pension from the age of 63. The pension will be 3.5% of the salary for each full year’s exercise of a mandate but not more than 70% in total.  The cost of this pension will be met from the European Parliament budget.

European Parliament link »

Health Insurance

MEPs receive two thirds of the contribution due for health insurance provided that the total amount reimbursed does not exceed €400 per month.

General Expenditure Allowance

This allowance is used to cover expenditure in the Member State of election, such as Members’ office rent and management costs, telephone and postal charges, and the purchase, operation and maintenance of I.T. equipment.

The amount of this allowance in 2010 was €4,202.00 per month (€50,424.00 annual total).

The amount of this allowance in 2011 is €4,299.00 per month (€51,588.00 annual total).

This monthly payment is NOT paid into my personal account.

These funds are paid into a separate account and used ONLY for the following forms of expenditure.

Staffing Arrangements

MEPs can choose their own staff within a budget set by Parliament.

Accredited assistants, based in Brussels or Strasbourg are administered directly by Parliament’s administration, under the conditions of employment for non-permanent EU staff.

Assistants based in MEPs’ Member States are handled by qualified paying agents. This guarantees full revenue compliance regarding tax and social security arrangements.

As of July 2009 applications for funds are made on an individual employee basis and only the exact amount required for each employee per month is paid to the paying agent by the European Parliament.

European Parliament link »